BUDDHIST HERITAGE OF ODISHA

The multi-religious landscape of Odisha is striking, with the present city of Bhubaneswar and its encircling hills providing evidence for the presence of shrines and images associated with Buddhism, Jainism as well as Hinduism, though their relative concentration varied over time. In this book, the focus is on various aspects of architecture related to Buddhism. One of the issues that the survey of religious architecture presented here raises is the extent to which Buddhist monastic architecture was a reflection of the practice of the religion within a regional cultural milieu. More importantly, the book addresses the complex issue of preservation of the Buddhist heritage keeping in view demands of urban planning and development on the one hand and the pressures of tourism on the other. Is the value of Buddhist heritage only to be weighed against the present benefits of commercial exploitation? The objective of the book will be to aid in the integration of the needs of archaeology and heritage in Odisha with tourism and future urban planning.