Ratnagiri is another pilgrimage related to Buddhism, near Udaigiri and Khandigiri caves, and has many significant Buddhist sculptures scattered around in the hill range. The excavations have revealed the relation of this place with the Gupta Dynasty, and this dates back to 6th Century AD. The huge monastery that has been excavated is thought to be of Mahayana sect, showing that Buddhism spread through these areas in the later part, especially due to the influence of the great kings such as Ashoka and those of the Gupta dynasty. There are also some other pieces of Buddhist origin in this place including the monastery, stupas, chaityas etc.

Not only a religious pace, Ratnagiri was also a great place of learning for the Budhism of Tantric cult, known as Vajrayana. The Kalchakrayana also had flourished considerably in this place, as evident from the Tibetan Buddhist texts.

History
The Ratnagiri site, the first to be excavated between 1957 and 1960, dates back to the first half of 6th century B.C. during the reign of Narasimha Gupta Baladitya of Gupta dynasty. Originally, it was an important center of Mahayana form of Buddhism, while later during 8th and 9th century, it became a great center for Tantrik Buddhism or Vajrayana art and philosophy. Several sculptural relics on the walls of the pantheon envisages the prevalence of Vajrayana divinities at that time. Pag Sam Jon Zang, a Tibetan account, indicates that the institution at Ratnagiri also played a significant role in the emergence of Kalachakratantra during the 10th century A.D.

Attractions
The stupas
The stupas are unsurpassable scenery as there are many small stupas around the big one, which makes the circumambulation nearly an impossible task. Various donors who, accordingly differentiated in materials, structure and constructions had donated these stupas.

These stupas, numerous and in varieties, portray a vivid picture of Buddhism in ancient India, in its fully bloomed phase. Moreover, they represent the only site with monolithic stupas in such dense manner, also due to the helping hand of the villagers who added stupas from the nearby places into the site.

The monasteries
The monastery holds in front of the visitor the splendid past of Ratnagiri, affluent and culturally rich, the proofs could be easily obtained from these delicately built monasteries. The monastery has 24 cells, a spacious courtyard, a shrine in the front and a lobby etc. The monastery is a proof of the superlative degree, of the richness, and flourishing of Buddhism in India is still hold high in the sentiments of the devoted Buddhist.

The exquisite artistry in the doorframe of the monastery makes everybody spell bound, with its chlorite stones offering it a lovelier finish than the most of the shrines in India. The doorway, with its delicately cut out figures of males and a border of a row of flowers invites everybody to explore in. Or, do they make one stand out of the shrine for more times?

Motifs
The motifs, also known as Kunjalata and Patralata, represent the process of cultural transfer and adoption of items from Buddhism. The Buddhist sculptures, especially the one in Varada Mudra, boast of some of the most exquisite display of art.