If you ask about Buddhism in Odisha, you will find its significance in the roots of Odisha culture. To know more about the deeply rooted history of Buddhist philosophy and its philosophers Buddhist tourism is highlighted very much in Odisha. Simply have a glance at Odisha tourism and get Buddhist guide to come across numerous Buddhist attractions in Odisha. The real wealth of Buddhism and peace can be observed amidst the calm and beautiful environs of Odisha heritage Pushpagiri.
Pushpagiri University or Puspagiri Mahavihara (2nd century BC to 10th century AD), a prominent Buddhist seat of higher learning in ancient India, blossomed until the 11th century in the country. The remains are still available atop the Langudi hills around 90 km from the Mahanadi delta, in Jajpur and Cuttack districts of Odisha.
Pushpagiri is considered as ancient Indian higher learning institution parallel to the Nalanda, Vikramshila and Takshila universities. Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Huien Tsang), who visited the region in 639 CE, mentioned the three universities of Pushpagiri as Puspagiri Mahavihara in his famous travelogues. Moreover, it was also mentioned in medieval Tibetan texts as Puspagiri Mahavihara.
The ruins of Puspagiri University were discovered much later than those of Takshila and Nalanda. They were discovered in 1995, when a lecturer from a local college first visited the site. Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies undertook the mission of excavating the ruins Puspagiri spread across 143 acres (0.58 sq km) of land, between 1996 and 2006. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is now carrying out the task.