Bhubaneswar, Aug. 28 -- Odisha is set to get a major new Buddhist landmark with a 45-foot statue of Guru Padmasambhava, revered as the "Second Buddha", coming up near the historic Udayagiri Buddhist site in Jajpur district.
The project is aimed at giving a global push to Odisha's rich Buddhist heritage and strengthening the state's Diamond Triangle Buddhist Circuit, comprising the historic Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri. The three sites, known for their ancient monasteries, stupas, sculptures and archaeological remains, testify to Odisha's importance as a major centre of Buddhist learning and Vajrayana tradition.
The imposing statue will be installed near Shanichhak at Gajendrapur under Gopalpur panchayat in Badachan...