Minor Structural Stupas at Udayagiri (Northern Zone)

The structural stupas discussed below were unearthed from Udaygiri-2 in the year 2001-03. Structural stupa has not been reported from Udaygiri-1 which was excavated in 1985 to 1989. From Udaygiri-2; 148 stupas have been reported within the enclosure which includes both masonry and brick work stupas and monolithic stupas of various dimensions. Apart from these stupas remains of a apsidal chaityagriha, large and small edifices including a large stone platform and stone paved pathway and a residential complexes with kitchen were reported.

For convenience the area has been divided into four zones, which has been demarcated on the plan of the site marked as (Fig.10), beginning from north the stupas has been discussed below:

Structural Stupa–1 (30 cm high)

Rectangular masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 166 x 100 cm displays three projecting bands at the base followed by two courses of stone.

Structural Stupa–2 (33 cm high)

Rectangular masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 475 x 215 cm, displays four diminishing mouldings at the base. At the centre of the pedestal is a heap of random rubbles, probably ruins of a stupa.

Structural Stupa–3 (35 cm high)

Square masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 230 x 210 cm, displays three mouldings at the base followed by two courses of stone.

Structural Stupa–4 (28 cm high)

Square masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 100 x 95 cm, displays two projecting bands at the base and the rest of the structure is in ruins.

Structural Stupa–5 (114 cm high)

A masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 273 x 210 cm, displays five receding bands at the base followed by a circular anda, two courses of which are extant.

Structural Stupa–6 (29cm high)

A rectangular vedhiof stupa measuring 183 x 183 cm, displays two diminishing bands at the base followed by a circular anda, two courses of which are extant.

Structural Stupa–7 (19 cm high)

A masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 127 x 125 cmis partially missing from one corner consists of a single course at the base, rest of the parts are lost.

Structural Stupa–8 (10 cm high)

A square vedhiof stupa measuring 107 x 106 cm, displays a single course in dilapidated condition.

Structural Stupa–9 (72 cm high)

A square masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 281 x 281 cm, displays four receding bands at the base, rest of the part is missing.

Structural Stupa–12 (177 cm high)

On an uneven stone pavement a brick stupa measuring 860 cm in diameter, consists of twenty courses (Plate-XXVI). On the cardinal directions there are projections attached which areextent up to eight courses. This could be the stupa with ayaka platforms, a influence of southern stupa type. The medhi portion only exists; rest is in a dilapidated condition.

Structural Stupa–13 (22 cm high)

A square masonry pedestal of stupa measuring 166 x 157 cm, displays two mouldings at the base, rest of the part is missing.

Structural Stupa–14 (52 cm high)

A square masonry pedestal of stupa measuring 258 x 256 cm displays five receding bands at the base, rest of the part is in ruins.

Structural Stupa–15 (64 cm high)

On a stone platform of four courses of earlier phase, stands the vedhi of stupa measuring (180 x 180 cm) followed by two mouldings crowned by four circular receding rings.

Structural Stupa–18 (20 cm high)

A circular medhi of stone measuring 186 cm in diameter, of which one course is extant and the rest of it is in a dilapidated condition.

Structural Stupa–19 (44 cm high)

A rectangular stone platform of stupa measuring 429 x 213 cm, comprises of two diminishing mouldings.

Structural Stupa–20 (66 cm high)

A square stone pavement of a stupa measuring 212 x 210 cm consists of two receding courses followed by a square medhi comprising of two courses.

Structural Stupa–21 (57 cm high)

A square stone pavement of a stupa measuring 207 x 204 cm, consists of four diminishing mouldings followed by a square medhi comprising of two courses.

Structural Stupa–22 (45 cm high)

A square vedhi of a stupa measuring 75 x 75 cm, comprises of two monolithic stone blocks.

Structural Stupa–23 (53 cm high)

A rectangular masonry pedestal of a stupa measuring 285 x 162 cm, consists of three diminishing mouldings of the vedhi followed by a square medhi comprising of one course. Probably this base was meant for placing two stupas.

Structural Stupa–24 (25 cm high)

A square masonry vedhi of a stupa measuring 130 x 128 cm, of which only one course is seen intact.

Structural Stupa–25 (34 cm high)

A square masonry pedestal of a stupa measuring 202 x 201 cm consists of three receding mouldings of the vedhi followed by a square medhi comprising of one course.

Structural Stupa–27 (83 cm high)

This stupa has been raised on an earlier structure measuring 335 x 335 cm consists of three courses. Above it a square vedhi measuring 264 x 264cm, displays three receding tires followed by a recess and a projecting band.

Structural Stupa–28 (60 cm high)

A square vedhi of a stupa measuring 200 x 200 cm, made of bricks consists of three courses followed by a square medhi comprising of five courses of bricks. The stupa is in a dilapidated condition.

Structural Stupa–29 (38.5 cm high)

A square stone platform of stupa measuring 219 x 217 cm, comprises of two courses.

Structural Stupa–31 (37 cm high)

A square stone pedestal of stupa measuring 200 x 200 cm comprises of three diminishing mouldings.

Structural Stupa–32 (46 cm high)

A square stone base of a stupa measuring 210 x 210 cm, displaying two receding mouldings followed by two courses representing recess, rest of the part is in ruins.

Structural Stupa–33 (94 cm high)

A square masonry vedhi of stupa measuring 690 x 690 cm comprises of two courses at the base followed by a facet and recess of two course crowned by a band. Above it a square medhimeasuring 515 x 515 cm comprises of four courses of bricks. The stupa is in dilapidated condition.