Udayagiri Caves & Khandagiri Caves

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are rock cut caves excavated in two adjacent hills about 6 Kms from Bhubaneswar. These caves date all the way to the 2nd Century BC.

Udayagiri Caves

Udayagiri Hill (Sunrise Hill) has a total of 18 caves built in the 2nd century during the reign of King Kharavela of Chedi Dynasty. This group is collectively known as Udayagiri Caves.

Main Entrance

Cave # 1 – Rani Gompha
Rani Gompha, consisting of a few double storied caves, has exquisite carvings depicting scenes of the king’s victorious return.

Rani Gompha

Carvings

Cave # 10 – Ganesha Gumpha

Ganesha Gumpha

Cave # 13 – Sarpa Gumpha

Sarpa Gumpha

Cave # 14 – Hathi Gumpha

Hathi Gumpha

Raja Jharavela, the king of Kalinga, has inscribed 17 lines in Brahmi script on a rock above the main entrance.

Inscriptions

Khandagiri Caves

The Khandagiri hill has 15 caves which are smaller and not as grand as the ones across the street. These are collectively known as Khadagiri Caves.

Khandagiri

Entrance to Cave # 3

There is an in-use Jain Temple at the top of the hill.

Jain Temple