Monday, November 27, 2017

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Bhubaneswar

Date: 28th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 15 per adult.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 1440 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snacks available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Nandakanan Zoo.

The hills located in the bhubaneshwar city is one of the important religious site. The twin hills are home for numerous rock cut caves. The traditional names of the dual hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri are Kumari and Kumara parvatas. There are totally thirty three rock cut caves on both the hills. 18 caves are found on Udayagiri hill and 15 on the Khandagiri hill. Some of the noteworthy caves in udayagiri are Cave 1 or Rani Gumpha,  Cave 2 or chotta hathi gumpha, Cave 4 or Alakapuri gumpha, Cave 5 or Jaya Vijaya gumpha, Cave 9 or Manchpuri and Svargapuri gumpha, Cave 10 or Ganesha gumpha, Cave 12 or Bagha gumpha, Cave 14 or Hathi gumpha. Some of the caves of Khandagiri are Cave 1 and 2 or Tatwa gumpha, Cave 3 or Ananta gumpha, Cave 7 or Navamuni gumpha and Cave 8 or Barabhuji gumpha.


Most caves are single storied but some of them are double storied.  Based on the inscriptions found these caves were excavated by King Kharavela of mahameghavahana dynasty.

Parsvanatha temple on the top of the Khandagiri hill was constructed in 19th century and is still worshiped.

The peak of Khandagiri on which the temple stands, is 37.5 m high, 3.96 m higher than Udayagiri.

The largest of all caves, Ranigumpha and Swargapuri-Manchapuri caves are double storied.

Ranigumpha also called as the queen’s palace is architecturally superior of all the caves.

The Hathi gumpha or elephant cave is famous for the inscriptions of king Kharavela engraved on the brow.

The inscription records the expeditions of king Kharavela including victory of Magadha and retrieval of Jain image taken by the Nanda king.

Rani Gumpha the largest and most popular cave among the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri has some ancient beautiful sculptures.

The Manchpuri and Svargapuri caves are two storied with inscription stating the cave dedicated by the Queen of King Kharvela.

The Bagha gumpha cave or cave 12 has the opening carved like a tigers head.

The inscriptions in elephant cave is written in brahmi script and consist of 17 lines.


We were here.

One of the top tourist attraction in Bhubaneswar that needs to be visited.

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