Odisha at a Glance

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Welcome to 3rd Guru Padmasambhava Monlam 2026

The International Conference on 3rd Guru Padmasambhava will be held at the historic Udaygiri Buddhist site in Jajpur district, Odisha, from 28 December 2026 to 5 January 2027. The nine-day event celebrates Guru Padmasambhava’s enduring legacy and showcases Odisha’s rich Buddhist heritage through spiritual traditions, cultural exchange, and historical exploration.

About the Ceremony

The Guru Padmasambhava Ceremony is a significant spiritual and cultural event that celebrates the life, teachings, and legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, revered across the Buddhist world as the “Second Buddha” and the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. The ceremony serves as a tribute to his profound contribution in spreading the message of compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment across the Himalayan region and beyond.

Observed with great devotion, the event brings together Buddhist monks, scholars, devotees, and visitors from different parts of India and the world. The celebrations feature traditional prayers, chanting sessions, sacred rituals, masked dances, and cultural performances that reflect the rich heritage of Buddhist traditions. These ceremonies create an atmosphere of peace and spiritual reflection, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy and practices.

In Odisha, the Guru Padmasambhava Ceremony also highlights the state’s historic connection with Buddhism and its role as a centre of learning and spiritual exchange in ancient times. The event promotes intercultural dialogue, religious harmony, and the preservation of Buddhist heritage while attracting pilgrims, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts.

More than a religious observance, the Guru Padmasambhava Ceremony is a celebration of peace, wisdom, and humanity’s shared spiritual heritage, inspiring people to embrace the values of compassion, mindfulness, and harmony in their daily lives.

HISTORIC MONASTIC HERITAGE & LIVING DEVOTION

Celebrating Odisha’s Buddhist Legacy

A sacred convergence of Himalayan Vajrayana traditions, ancient monastic wisdom, and enduring spiritual values across the Diamond Triangle.

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Ratnagiri

Regarded as the intellectual and spiritual heart of Tantric Buddhism in eastern India. Renowned for its masterfully carved chlorite green doorway, monumental seated Buddha figures, extensive prayer quadrangles, and hundreds of votive stupas testifying to centuries of vibrant scholarly devotion.

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Udaygiri

The largest monastic complex in the Diamond Triangle, gracefully set against lush hill slopes. Historically identified with ancient Uddiyāna, the birthplace associated with Guru Padmasambhava. Features two vast monastery quadrangles, ornate Dhyani Buddha niches, and a legendary rock-cut stepwell.

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Lalitgiri

The oldest Buddhist site in Odisha, dating back to the Mauryan period. World-renowned for the historic discovery of sacred bone relics of Lord Buddha encased in four nested caskets of gold, silver, steatite, and khondalite, alongside a rare apsidal brick Chaityagriha crowning the sacred hill.