History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c47.19.1

v2.c47.19.1

C. In the 10th century A. D. there is a second renaissance in Buddhist sculpture. The artists succeeded in re-invigorating their products. The best example is perhaps the great Buddha at Baudh. This image is still *in situ*. Its temple lay just in front of the Rājā's palace at Baudh and has simply been covered up by debris on account of a local superstition. The total height of this image is 6 ft. 9 ins. of which the seated figure measures 4 ft. 3 ins. in height and 3ft. 10 ins. from knee to knee. It is seated in the *Bhumisparśa Mudrā* on a lotus throne, 1ft. 2ins. in height, placed on a pedestal 11 ins, in height and 4 ft. 6 ins. in breadth. Like the great Buddha at Udaygiri in the Cuttack district, the whole of this image is built up in sections with separately carved stones. The only attendant figures are two *Gandharvas* flying with garlands in their hands on the sides of the head. On the whole, the colossus of Baudh compares favourably with similar colossi at Udaygiri and Lalitagiri in the Cuttack district. The image is uninscribed and below the pedestal is the ancient stone pavement of the original shrine.¹ There is a certain grossness in the face which is certainly wanting in the colossi of the Cuttck district. Alike to this colossus is another brought from the Cuttack district by Mr. Ajit Ghosh.