The Centre was established in 1956 Odisha Center of Maha Bodhi Society of India is situated at the heart of Capital City “Bhubaneswar” which is only 2 KM far away from Railway Station and 4 KM from Biju Patnaik International Airport. The plot of land was donated by the then Chief Minister of Odisha, Honourable Harekrushna Mahtab on behalf of he Govt. of Odisha to Maha Bodhi Society of India to erect the Buddha Vihar, School and Cultural Institution. The Honourable Sri Mahtab was a devoted follower of Buddhism and delivered a thought- provoking speech at Dharmarajika Chetiya Vihara, Kolkata in August 1949.
During Emperor Asoka’s reign the name of Odisha was Kalinga. The Emperor fought a great war against the Kalingas to capture it. During the war large numbers of people were killed and huge destructions took place. Having witnessed the calamity and sufferings left behind by war he came to understand that such mass destruction cannot bring peace and prosperity to the nation. The Emperor changed over to be a devout Buddhist and a great patriot of Buddhism and followed the Noble Path of peace, wisdom and compassion shown by The Buddha. He ruled his vast empire in peace and tranquillity and engaged himself in the work to spread The Buddha’s Message throughout India and abroad. This Centre plays a significant role in the field of social welfare services and educational
The Dhammaduta monks at the Centre are devotedly performing the social and religious activities at the Odisha center, while assisting the visitors by providing them the proper guidance those who come here to seek the Dhamma and showing the willingness to practice the meditation.
The front gate of Odisha Center
On May 13, 1957, a sapling of Bodhi tree obtained from Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura was planted in the premises by the then Prime Minister of Myanmar U Nu.