ODISHA 5 KHANDAGIRI, UDAYAGIRI AND DHAULAGIRI

 UDAYAGIRI AND KHANDAGIRI

^{Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are situated about 10 kms. from Bhubaneswar. These are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription. They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during the 1st century BCE. It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jaina monks during the reign of King Kharavela. Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has15 caves.}

^{The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called Lena in inscriptions, were dug out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jaina ascetics. The most important of this group is Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery. Another important cave is Hathi Gumpha}

^{The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena in inscriptions, were dug out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jaina ascetics. The most important of this group is Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery. Another important cave is Hathi Gumpha}

^{Rani Gumpha is the largest and most popular cave among the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri. The word 'Rani' means Queen. Although it is not an architectural marvel, it has some ancient beautiful sculptures.}

^{This cave is double storeyed. Each storey has three wings and the central wing is bigger among all the three wings. The lower floor has seven entrances in the middle wing whereas the upper floor has nine columns. The upper portion of the central wing has relief images depicting the victory march of a king. Many of the cells have carved dwara pala images; some of them are disfigured. The area that connects the central wing with right and left wings have some panels where the sculptures of wild animals, fruit-laden trees, human figures, women playing musical instruments, monkeys and playful elephants are found. The pilasters contain the toranas (arches) decorated with sculptures of Jain religious importance and royal scenes.}

^{Cave No.10. Ganesha Gumpha}

^{Ganesha Gumpha is one of the most important caves in Udayagiri. The cave got this name due to the carved figure of Ganesha on the back of its right cell. Of course, it would have been carved in the later period and it cannot be the original work. The cave has two big statues of elephants carrying garlands at the entrance and is the first example of sculpture animals used as a guard to the entrance. Also, the carved figures of dwara palas are found at the entrances. The carvings in this cave narrate the story of the elopement of Bassavadatta, Princess of Ujjayini, with King Udayana of Kausambi in the company of Vasantaka.} 

^{Entry Fee:  Rs.25 for Indians and Rs.300 for foreigners}

^{Timing. The caves are open throughout the day.}

^{Guides: Authorised guides are available and will charge Rs.300 for Khandagiri alone and Rs.500 for both Khandagiri and Udaigiri.}

^{SHANTI STUPA DHAULAGIRI}

^{Dhauli hill is presumed to be the area where the Kalinga War was fought.  Rock Edicts are found here and two separate Kalinga Edicts. In Kalinga, he expresses his concern for the "welfare of the whole world". The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha. The stone elephant shows the animal's foreparts only, though it has a fine sense of form and movement. It is considered as one of the few remains of Mauryan art. Ashoka had a special weakness for Dhauli, where the battle was fought. The Daya river is said to have turned red with the blood of the many deceased after the battle, and enabled Ashoka to realize the magnitude of horror}

^{associated with war. He saw to it that Dhauli became an important centre of Buddhist activities. He built several chaityas, stupas and pillars there. He instructed that hermitages be excavated where recluses could meditate, issued instructions to be inscribed for officials expounded the main principles of dandaniti (strict enforcement of laws) for the public, and thereby provided special status to his new kingdom including the stupas at Dhauli. On the top of the hill, a dazzling white peace pagoda has been built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in the 1970s.}

 Edict XIII: The edicts are Rock engraved on a large piece of rock, written in Pali. The Kalinga War and Dhamma-Vijaya. The conquest of Kalinga at the eastern coast of India by Ashoka (268-233) in the year 261 BC was an event of greatest historical importance for India and world history.

The rock edict is located near the historical sight of the Kalinga war which is said to have transformed Samrat Ashok. In these inscriptions, Ashoka refers to himself as "Beloved servant of the Gods" (Devanampiyadasi). The inscriptions revolve around a few recurring themes: Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, the description of his efforts to spread Buddhism, his moral and religious precepts, and his social and animal welfare programme.