[MSN] Buddhist monastery faces threat from smugglers

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*Buddhist monastery faces threat from smugglers*

Statesman News Service
KENDRAPARA, May 2: Priceless archaeological treasures are precariously 
exposed to antique smugglers in and around the famous 8th century 
Udaygiri Buddhist monastery even as the watch and vigil by the state 
police were withdrawn from the famous Buddhist destinations.
Excavated in 1986 by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Udaygiri 
Buddhist monastery nestled along hillocks in Badchana tehsil of Jahpur 
district wears a pathetic sight of governmental neglect. Even though 
excavated, Buddhist treasures are of immense historic importance and are 
comparable to more famous Buddhist sites like Taxsila, Bodhgaya, Nalanda 
and Sarnath in terms of discoveries of rich archaeological value, little 
has been done to preserve antiques or ensure the safety of the site from 
antique smugglers, according to conservationists.
Thrice in the past years, Buddhist sculptors were smuggled out from the 
site, while on several occasions, the rocks cut sculptors were subjected 
to defacement and vandalism. Security had to be beefed up in 2004 after 
beleaguered ASI sought police deployment at the protected archaeological 
site. The state police had deputed five security personnel for watch and 
vigil.
But that was withdrawn one month back with a couple of ASI guards now 
left to protect the priceless treasures from possible theft and vandalism.
Udaygiri with two other Buddhist sites ~ Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri ~ 
located in proximity ~ served as a prospering learning centre of 
Buddhism during 7th century AD.
Buddhism had flourished under the erstwhile Bhaumakara dynasty after 
decline of Brahmanical cult. A number of excavations have been carried 
out at Udaygiri, resulting in unearthing of several caves.
These caves were found to contain some of the most antique and 
architecturally significant Buddhist sculptures.
On 8 November, 2003, a big sculpture of Buddha on mediating posture was 
smuggled out of the protected site with the miscreants uprooting the 
antique idol using sharp earth digging implements. Prior to that, a 
Buddha idol was decapitated. One more Buddha idol of ‘Bhumisparsa mudra’ 
was smuggled from the heritage site.
The security measures had put to an end the antique theft, while there 
were stray cases of vandalism and defacement of sculptures.
Police continue to grope in the dark and are still clueless with regard 
to three idol smuggling cases registered in the past. The case files are 
practically closed as investigation made little headway during the early 
stage of investigation.
Conservationists are apprehensive that the police withdrawal from the 
heritage site would spell doom for the archaeological treasures.

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