With reference to the Buddhist heritage site of Lalitagiri in Odisha, consider the following statements: 1. It is situated on the Nandapahad hillock within the Assia hill range and the Birupa river valley. 2. Archaeological excavations here revealed a massive Theravada stupa containing khondalite relic caskets. 3. Inscribed terracotta sealings deciphered from the site indicate its historic name as Madhavapura Mahavihara. Which of the statements given above are correct? |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Notes:

Detailed Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Lalitagiri is one of the foundational sites of Odisha’s Diamond Triangle (along with Udayagiri and Ratnagiri). It is positioned precisely on the Nandapahad hill within the Assia range.
Statement 2 is correct: A defining feature of Lalitagiri is its large structural stupa built during the early Theravada phase. Excavations yielded sacred khondalite stone caskets that preserved inner containers made of steatite, silver, and gold.
Statement 3 is incorrect: This is a conceptual trap. An inscribed sealing from Lalitagiri identifies it as the Sri Chandraditya Vihara. The institutional name Madhavapura Mahavihara is specifically associated with the nearby site of Udayagiri, not Lalitagiri.