Minor Structural Stupas at Ratnagiri

The structural stupas reported from this site is numbered is per the numbering done by Mitra (Mitra 1980) in her report‘RATNAGIRI’. Important structural stupas have been discussed below. There are more than two hundred and fifty structural stupas reported from the site (Fig.11). Apart from these structural stupa few stupas has been reported from where the Mahakal temple has been transplanted (1997-2004). Those stupas have been named as MTA (Mahakal Temple Area) and are numbered separately by me.

Structural stupa -3

The structural brick stupa is raised on a platform comprising of five courses above it rests the pancha-ratha vedhi (Plate-LXV) carved into a khura, kumbha and an inverted khura with a thin vertical band at the centre anda medhi with a in turned and a out turned band at the base followed by three courses crowned by a facet, a band, a recess and a band.

Structural stupa -4

The structural brick stupa is raised on a high platform comprising of nine courses above it rests the tri-ratha vedhi carved into a khura, pata and an inverted khura anda medhi survived by a single circular course.

Structural stupa -5

The structural brick stupa is raised on a high platform above it rests the pancha-ratha vedhi carved into a khura, kumbha and an inverted khura with a thin vertical band at the centre the medhi portion is survived by a single course.

Structural stupa-3, 4, and 5 are built on a common rectangular platform.

Structural stupa-6

The structural stupa is superimposed on the existing three monolithic stupas. The brick stupa consists of a high vedhi comprising of six courses followed by a medhi with a in turned and an out turned band at the base followed by a single course, rest of the part is missing.

Structural stupa–13 (60 cm high)

The structural stupa consists ofa medhi with double petalled lotus at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded linesand a globular anda. There is an empty oblong niche with frame carved with halves of flower within triangular borders and followed by a chaitya window motif.

Structural stupa–16

The structural stupa consists ofa vedhi carved into a khura, kumbha, pata which is carved with three lines of triangles and an inverted khura connected by a thin vertical band at the centre,a medhi with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within borders having beaded lines at the top, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti mukhas, a globular anda, a tri-rathaharmika with a facet at the base and a facet and a band at the topanda chatravali of six receding discs followed by a semicircular top with a pear shaped capping on it. On all the four cardinal directions there are empty oblong niches with frames engraved with stylishly carved leaves within beaded borders crowned by a chaitya window motif.

Structural stupa–18 (164 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of a vedhi carved into three rectangular mouldings connected by a thin vertical band at the centre,a medhi with a out turned band and a facet at the base and two nolis within facets at the top, a globular anda, a pancha-ratha harmika with two facets at the base and two facets and a band followed by triangular projections at the topand a chatravali of nine gradually diminishing discs.

Structural stupa -32

A massive masonry structural stupa is raised on a square platform comprising of two courses above it rests the circular medhi with a band at the base and a band at the top followed by an elongated anda. The anda portion is double the size of the medhi.

Structural stupa-37 (62 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of a medhi and the anda portion (Plate-XXXV). Medhi is highly decorated with a band, relieved with double petalled lotus succeeded by a beaded line. The central part is decorated with dangling jewels like a hara with pendant followed by a beaded line; above it is a pattern of geometrical design followed by a circular beaded line. Niches are on the four cardinal directions. On the northern and the southern side Buddha is seated in bhumisparshamudra on a double petalled lotus. Below the seat of the Buddha is placed on the northern side bowls of offering and incense burner are depicted. The niches on the eastern and the western sides are empty. The raised border around the niches are embellished with halves of flowers within the triangles above which is an ornate chaitya window motif with a female figure seated in vajraprayankasana posture inside with her right arm close to her chest and her left arm resting on her left leg. In between the two niches a pillar bearing image of an elephant suppressed by a composite figure (bust of a female and body of a lion). Head of all the female figures are chopped off.

Structural stupa-30 (59 cm high)

[Bearing images of Buddha in different postures]

This structural stupa is displayed inside the museum. There are niches on the cardinal directions. Out of the four niches in three niches Buddha is shown in different mudras. Fourth niche cannot be seen as its facing the wall.

In this stupa only the medhi and anda portion exists. A medhi with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within borders having beaded lines at the top, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti mukhasand a globular anda. Over the lintel is a chaitya window motif. The projected parts of the medhi contain oblong niches. The projected jambs of the niches are relieved with full blown flowers and the lintels with wavy lines. Inside the niche is Buddha seated in vajra-paryankasana attitude on a double petalled lotus with a foliated stem, below the lotus pedestal there are two bowls of offerings. Buddha’s right palm is in bhumisparsha-mudra and the left one resting on the lap. Clad in an antaravasa and uttarasanga which leaves Lords right chest, shoulder and arm bare. The rendering of the curls covering his head and ushnisha is stylized. Behind his head is an oval halo.

Same as the above except for the lintel of the niche are relieved with halves of flowers within triangular lines, while at the centre of its sloping part is a half of a flower. Buddha is depicted in bhumisparsha-mudra with a circular halo behind his head.

Same as the above except for the lintel of the niche are relieved with halves of flowers within triangular lines, while at the centre of its sloping part is a half of a flower. Buddha is depicted in dhyana-mudrawith a circular halo behind his head.

Structural stupa 39 (64 cm high)

In this structural stupa vedhi portion is underneath the soil, the medhi and the anda portion are extant a medhi with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within borders having beaded lines at the top, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti mukhasand a globular anda. There is a highly decorated frame around the niche; leaves are arranged in stylised manner within beaded borders (Plate-LXI). Above the tapering lintel two deer’s are depicted in seated position crossing each other and their head resting on each other’s body followed by a chaitya window motif with a human face at the centre.

Inside the niche Tara is decked withhara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right ear, a beaded upavita, armlets, and bangles is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat, clothed in a sati held by a girdle. Below her seat a kneeling devotee with folded hands, an incense burner, a bowl of offering and a lamp are placed. Inside the niche on the top corners, on the right hand side a male flying vidyadhara and on the left hand side a female flying vidyadhara are depicted. There is a short crown and bun-shaped coiffure on the top of the head. Behind her head is a circular halo.

Structural stupa–54 and 55

The masonary structural stupas are sharing a common vedhi which is carved into a khura, a noli, a khura with two corbels below and an inverted khura.

The medhi portion of structural stupa 54 consists of a band at the base and a band at the top, the anda is highly elongated with rounded top corners, a harmika with a band and a facet at the base and two diminishing factes and a band at the top followed by chatravali supported by a shaft, the chatravali is in the shape of three pairs of discs and khuras haped chatra with a crowning knob. The empty niche was occupied by a detachable image of Buddha made of khondalite stone (Mitra 1980:60).

Structural stupa 55 is similar to stupa 54 except for the chatravali which consists of six discs. Inside the niche there was an image of Tara (Mitra 1980:61), which is absent presently.

Structural stupa–64

A massive masonry structural stupa is raised on a square platform comprises of a khura, a kumbha, a khura and a inverted khura above it rests the circular medhi with two bands with few petals of a double petalled lotus at the base (this is an incomplete stupa) and a band at the top followed by an elongated anda.

Structural stupa-78 (68 cm high)

[Tara]

The structural stupa consists of a tri-rathavedhi carved into a khura, kumbha and a inverted khura with a central bandand a cylindrical medhi with two bands followed by a slightly rounded moulding and a facet at the base and two nolis within facets at the top. The anda portion is absent. Inside the niche bearing a plain square frame Tara is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat, clothed in a sati held by a girdle, decked with hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right ear, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles. The head is chopped off.

Structural stupa-79 (126 cm high)

[Buddha in Bhumisparsha-mudra]

The structural stupa consists ofa tri-rathavedhi carved into a khura, kumbha and a inverted khura with a central band in a shape of a spear head upside down joining from the top with a leaf shape design coming up from the base,a cylindrical medhi with two bands followed by a slightly rounded moulding and a facet at the base and two nolis within facets at the top and a circular anda with rounded top corners. Inside a plain oblong niche crowned by a tri-ratha lintel and chaitya window motif, Buddha seated in vajra-paryankasana attitude on a double petalled lotus with a foliated stem, below the lotus there are two bowls of offerings. Buddha’s right palm is in bhumisparsha-mudra and the left one is resting on the lap. Clad in an antaravasa and uttarasanga which leaves the Lords right chest, shoulder and arm bare.

Structural stupa-80 (125 cm high)

Buddha in Bhumisparsha-Mudra

The stupa and the deity are of same design and attribute as Structural Stupa.79.

Structural stupa-91

The structural masonry stupa consists of a square vedhi displaying two receding mouldings, a medhi with two projecting bands at the base and a band with two corbels below and a diminishing facet above at the top and anda is survived by two courses.

Structural stupa-94

The structural brick stupa is overlapping on the existing stupa, consists of a tri-ratha vedhi carved into a khura, a band with both the sides chamfered and a inverted khura and a medhi with one incurved and the other outcurved band is standing.

Structural stupa-97 (68 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of a tri-rathavedhi carved into a khura, kumbha and a inverted khura with a central band in a shape of a spear head upside down joining from the top with a leaf shape design coming up from the baseand a cylindrical medhi with two bands followed by a slightly rounded moulding and a facet at the base and two nolis within facets at the top (Plate-XXXVIII). The anda portion is absent. Inside the niche bearing a plain square frame crowned by a tri-ratha lintelCintamanicakra Avalokitesvara is seated in maharajalilasana; his right leg is folded, the knee is slightly raised and the foot resting on the thigh of his left leg. His right hand is in the meditation mudra while his left hand, placed near his double petalled lotus seat, holds a ghata out of which rises a kalpavrksa that arches around the head of the deity and half-way down the other side. A full-blown lotus branches out from the stalk above his left shoulder. In general the image combines the “pensive Bodhisattva” motif of Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara, meditating upon the cause of suffering, with the benevolence of Cintamani Lokesvara, symbolised by the kalpavrksa (Donaldson 2001, 185). This is the only stupa at the site bearing the image of Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara.

Structural stupa-98 (110 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of a tri-rathavedhi carved into a khura, kumbha and a inverted khura with a central band in a shape of a spear head upside down joining from the top with a leaf shape design coming up from the base,a cylindrical medhi with two bands followed by a slightly rounded moulding and a facet at the base and two nolis within facets at the top, a circular anda with rounded top corners and a harmika with a band and a facet at the base and two facets and a band at the top (Plate-XXXIX). Inside a plain oblong niche crowned by a tri-ratha lintel, Manjusri is seated in maharajalilasana, at present the right hand is chopped off. According to Donaldson (2001, 164) the relaxed right arm is stretched over his raised right knee, holding a flower (?); his left arm rests on the seat holding the stalk of anutpala supporting a book. The face is badly worn off. His sikhandakakakapaksha coiffure is clearly visible. There is a circular halo behind his head and halves of flower on either side of the niche.

Structural stupa-99 (89 cm high)

[Tara]

The structural stupa consists of a medhi with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within borders having beaded lines at the top, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and a globular anda. Over the lintel is a chaitya window motif. The frame around the oblong niche is carved with halves of flowers within a double wavy line. Tara is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat, clothed in a sati held by a girdle, decked with hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right ear, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles. There is a short crown and bun-shaped coiffure on the top of the head.

Structural stupa-114 and 115

The structural stupa is constructed on a circular platform of the earlier phase (Stupa No-114) displaying two brick courses as a band followed by five regular courses above it rests the triratha vedhi carved into a khura and an inverted khura (Plate-LXII) anda medhi with a in turned and a out turned band at the base followed by three courses rest of the part is absent.

Structural stupa–117 (61 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of a tri-ratha vedhi carved into a khura, kumbha and an inverted khura connected by a thin vertical band at the centre,a medhi with a out turned band and a facet at the base and a noli within facets and a band at the top, the middle part is decorated with garlands made of beaded lines, and a globular anda. There is an empty oblong niche with a plain frame around it and is crowned by a chaitya window motif.

Structural stupa-118 (109 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of tri-rathavedhi carved into a khura, kumbha, pata and a inverted khura, a circular medhi with a band, relieved with double petalled lotus followed by beaded hara with dangling pendants issuing from the kirti-mukhas and the top is decorated with a row of thunderbolts within beaded borders, a high anda with rounded top corners (Plate–LX). The frame around the oblong niche has a semicircular top and is carved with halves of flowers within a double wavy line and at the centre on the top is a full blown flower in a square frame followed by a tri-ratha porch decorated with geometrical lines in the raha-paga and full blown flowers within beaded lines in the kanika-paga and a chaitya window motif above it. Decked with hara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right ear, a beaded upavita, armlets and bangles, Tara is shown seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a leaf. With right arm in varad-mudra and with the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala, rests on the seat, clothed in a sati held by a girdle.

Structural stupa-226

The structural stupa consists of a tri-rathavedhi carved into a khura and an inverted khura and a circular medhi with a band at the base and a band at the top. The anda portion is absent. There are four oblong niches on cardinal directions with three detachable images inside it; one of the niches is empty. On the east is Buddha seated in vajra-paryankasana posture on a double petalled lotus in bhumisparsha-mudra. Clad in an antarvasa and an uttarasanga which leaves his right arm bare. Around the head is an oval halo with vidhyadhara bearing garland on the either side of the halo. Below the seat is a seated female devotee with folded hands, incense-burner and two bowls of offering on tripods.

In the southern niche is four-armed Chunda (?) is seated in vajra-paryankasana posture on a double petalled lotus, with her lower arms in dhyana-mudra and a tiny vase placed above it. The upper left and right arm respectively holds the stalk of fully-blossomed lotus and a rosary. Dressed in a sati and an upper garment, she is decked in bangles, beaded armlets, a necklace, beaded earrings and a mukuta. There is an oval halo behind her head and below the seat is a seated female devotee and objects similar to those below the seat of Buddha. The face of the Goddess is chopped off.

In the western niche is Jambhala seated in lalitasana with a citron in his right palm resting on the knee, he presses with his left palm a mongoose disgorging pearls. Below the seat are a kneeling female devotee with folded hands and three nidhi kumbhas, one beneath the right foot of the god. With an oval halo behind his head, he is decked with anklets, valayas, beaded armlets, necklace, earrings and a high crown with five triangular projections.

Structural stupa-227

The structural stupa consists of a vedhi of which the top course is tri-rathain plan and a circular medhi with a band at the base (Plate-XLIV A, B and C). The anda portion is absent. There are four oblong niches on cardinal directions with two detachable images inside it; other two niches are empty. On the west is Amitabha (?) seated in vajra-paryankasana posture on a single petalled lotus in dhyana-mudra. He is robed in an antarvasa and an uttarasanga.

On the southern niche is Ratnasambhava (?) seated in vajra-paryankasana posture on a single petalled lotus in varad-mudra. He is robed in an antarvasa and an uttarasanga which leaves his right arm, shoulder and chest bare.Lotus marks could be seen on the palms and on the sole of the feet. The back rest of the Lord is carved with tounges of flames.

Structural stupa–284

The masonry structural stupa consists of an octagonal vedhi. This is the only stupa at the site having an octagonal base (Plate-CCV B).

Structural stupa (MTA)-1 (131 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of a vedhi carved into a khura, kumbha, pata and a inverted khura with a central band (Plate-XXXIV),a medhi with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within borders having beaded lines at the top, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhasand a globular anda. Over the lintel is a chaitya window motif. The raised border around the niche is embellished with halves of flowers within the triangles Buddha seated in the prayankasana attitude on a double petalled lotus in dharmachakramudra, below the lotus seat is depicted a wheel at the centre flanked by deer’s on either side. Clad in an antarvasa. The rendering of the curls covering his head and ushnisha is stylized and the deity has a charming face.

Structural stupa (MTA)–2 (60 cm high)

The photograph is not focused properly as just in front of the stupa there is another stupa and I did not get ample space to take a clear and full picture.

The structural stupa consists of a vedhi carved into a khura and a inverted khura with a central bandand a medhi with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with scroll design within borders having beaded lines at the top (Plate XXXVI); at the begning of the scroll design a man is depicted with his left leg in the mouth of a makara (crocodile) and out of fear he is trying to escape, he is pushing the makara with his left hand and holding something up with his right hand, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and conjoined swain facing either side with the beaded hara emanating from their belly.

The raised border around the niche is embellished with halves of flowers within the triangles Buddha is seated on a beautifully carved throne in the vajra-prayankasana attitude on a double petalled lotus in bhumisparsha-mudra. The rendering of the curls covering his head and ushnisha is stylized.Clad in an antaravasa and uttarasanga, which leaves the Lords right chest, shoulder and arm bare. Lord has a charming face. The either side of the niche is decorated with halves of flower.

Structural stupa (MTA)–3 (109 cm high)

The structural stupa consists ofvedhi carved into a khura, kumbha and an inverted khura with a central band,a cylindrical medhi with a band at the base and the top. The anda portion is slightly misplaced. Inside the niche bearing a plain square frame, Buddha (?) is shown seated in the prayankasana attitude on a double petalled lotus pedestal in dharmachakra-mudra. On the soles of his feet are lotus marks (Plate XXXVII). Below the lotus seat are two bowls of offerings, one incense burner and on the centre foliage of the lotus stem. Clad in an antarvasa and adorned with valayas, beaded armlets, bracelets, a beaded hara, ear studs, a beaded upavita and a high jatamukuta. Behind his head is a circular halo. This stupa has been unearthed from below the original place of Mahakal temple.

Structural stupa (MTA-4) (113 cm high)

The structural stupa consists of vedhi carved into akhura, kumbha, pata and a inverted khura with a central band,a medhi with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within borders having beaded lines at the top, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhasand a globular anda. Over the lintel is a chaitya window motif. The raised border around the niche is embellished with halves of flowers within the triangles, Tara is decked withhara, ear studs in the left and kundala in the right ear, a beaded upavita, armlets, and bangles is seated in lalitasana posture on a double petalled lotus with her right leg resting on a lotus. With right arm in varad-mudra and the left arm holding a stalk of an utpala rests on the seat, she is draped in a sati held by a girdle. There is a short crown and bun-shaped coiffure on the top of the head. Below the seat there is offering bowl and incense burner. Inside the niche on the right hand side top corner a flying vidyadhara is depicted and on the left hand side is a full blown lotus.

Structural stupa (MTA-5) (90 cm high)

This structural stupa is unique of its own kind; the structure is divided into two parts. This kind of architecture is not found from any other part of Orissa (Plate-CXLIII). The base is carved as a circular single petalled lotus then a circular recess devoid of any carving followed by another circular single petalled lotus succeeded by a short circular medhi, anda is disproportionately taller than the medhi portion, crowned by a square harmika with a facet at the base and a facet and a band at the top