Location: Located 10
Km west to Bhubaneswar, Orrisa.
Tourist Attractions: The ancient caves of
Udaigiri-Khandgiri.
Nearest Tourist Destinations: Bhubaneswar, Konark, Puri.
When to Visit: October to April (Pleasant climatic
conditions).
About Udaigiri and Khandgiri Caves
The twin hills of Kumargiri are known as Khandagiri and Udaygiri. The
ancient caves of Udaigiri and Khandgiri are considered consecrate as this
was the place where Lord Mahavira addressed the people of the area. On these
hills are archaeologically significant 113 caves, which are nearly 2300
years old. These rock-cut caves were built for the Jain monks around 1st -
2nd century B.C. The Khandgiri hill is about 40 meters high and the Udaygiri
hill is about 35 meters high. At the apex of Khandagiri hill stands the 19th
century "Parsvanath" temple. An idol of Bhagawan Adishvar in the
Padmasana posture is the main attraction of this temple. The thirteen years
lithic record of King Kharavela engraved in Hati Gumpha near Udaigiri is a
magnificent specimen of Pali records so far found in India.
Major Tourist Attractions in Udaigiri & Khandgiri
Khandgiri Cave Sculptures
The caves on the Khandagiri, can be reached either by the walking from the
road, or cutting directly across from Hathi Gumpha via steps that drop down
from cave 17. The latter route brings you out at caves 1 and 2, known as the
"Parrot Caves" for the carvings of birds on their doorway-arches.
Cave 2, excavated in the first century BC, is the larger and more
interesting. One can find some faint lines in Brahmini script in one of the
caves, which are supposed to be 2000 years old. The Ananta Gumpha or Snake
Cave has a decoration in the shape of a serpent at the entrance. It contains
the best of the sculpture on Khandagiri hill. The best place to wind up a
visit to Khandagiri is the modern Jain Temple at the top of the hill. Apart
from some old Tirthankars in the shrine room, the building itself was
erected during the 19th century on the site of a much earlier structure.
Udaigiri Cave Sculptures
Udaigiri caves occupy a fairly compact area around the south of the hill.
Cave 1, the Queen's Cave, is tucked away around the corner. The best
sculpture can be seen on the pillars, arches and to the rear of the
courtyard, and across the back wall of the upper storey. A long frieze
shows rampaging elephants, panicking monkeys, sword fights and the
abduction of a women. These carvings are thought to illustrate the life of
Kalinga's King Kharavela. Other interesting caves are numbers 3 and 4 - a
double-storied cave containing sculptures of a lion holding its prey,
elephants with snakes wrapped around them and pillars topped by pairs of
peculiar winged animals. The Ganesh Gumpha, has an appearance of the
elephant-headed Ganesh on the rear wall of the cell. The ledge at the very
top of Udaigiri hill is considered the main place of worship for the Jain
monks.
Dev sabha
It is an area where thousands of relics are scattered.
There is also an ancient tank which is said to have water called Akash
Ganga (Ganga from the heavens).
Getting There
Air: The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar, 10 km away.
Rail: Bhubaneswar railway station, the closest railway station is
well connected with almost all the major cities of India.
Road: Udaigiri and Khandgiri caves are closer to Bhubaneswar, which
is very well connected to rest of India via national highways.
Accommodation
The nearest accommodations are in Bhubaneswar, which is only 10 Km away
from this historic site. Bhubaneswar has number of options for stay, which
suits to ones interest, budget and comfort.
