Udaygiri And Khandagiri Caves

Formerly called Kattaka Caves or Cuttack caves, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha. 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 has 15 caves.
The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena or leṇa in the 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. Other important caves include Hathi gumpha, Ananta gumpha, Ganesha gumpha, Jaya Vijaya gumpha, Mancapuri gumpha, Bagha-Byaghra-Vyaghra gumpha and Sarpa gumpha. Archaeological Survey of India has listed Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in the list of "Must See" Indian Heritage.
In Udayagiri, Hathigumpha (cave 14) and Ganeshagumpha (cave 10) are especially well known due to art treasures of their sculptures and reliefs as well as due to their historical importance. Raninka Na'ara (Queen's Palace cave, cave 1) is also an extensively carved cave and elaborately embellished with sculptural friezes. Khandagiri offers a fine view back over Bhubaneswar from its summit. The Ananta cave (cave 3) depicts carved figures of women, elephants, athletes, and geese carrying flowers.
The Udayagiri hills fall on your right side when you enter into this area from Bhubaneswar. Compared to Khandagiri, Udayagiri offers more beautiful and better maintained cave shrines. There are 18 caves in Udayagiri. 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. The pilasters contain the toranas (arches) decorated with sculptures of Jain religious importance and royal scenes.
The Hathigumpha cave ("Elephant Cave") has the Hathigumpha inscription, written by Raja Kharavela, the king of Kalinga in India, during the 2nd century BCE. The Hathigumpha inscription consists of seventeen lines incised in deep cut Brahmi letters on the overhanging brow of a natural cavern Hathigumpha in the south side of the Udayagiri hill. The inscription also refers to the Kharaval's feat of bringing back Jain image which was taken by Nanda empire. It faces the rock edicts of Asoka at Dhauli, situated about six miles away.
The Khandagiri hills fall on your left side when you enter into this area from Bhubaneswar. There are 15 caves in Khandagiri. These caves were renovated during the reign of Uddyotakeshari of Somavamshi dynasty. The Tatowa Gumpha have parrots carved above the entrance arch and hence it is called as Tatowa Gumpha. It has two dwarapala figures too. There are sculptures of friezes, railing, arch, with kalasa inside the cave. The cave is decorated with sculptural friezes like nayikas, gandhrvas, different animals and birds, chaitya arch, pilaster design, rafters and voulted roof.
Most of the caves are not natural ones but are rock cuts and are believed to have been dwelling cells and meditation quarters for Jain monks of the time. The monks are believed to have lived here under harsh conditions and yet have been able to produce stunning and intricate sculptures depicting the royalty, courts, religious symbols, and ordinary life of society.
There’s a ticket of Rs.25 per person for entering the Udaygiri caves, while there isn’t any ticket for Khandagiri. The rates are different from citizens of SAARC countries and citizens of other countries. For other countries the entry fee is Rs.300.
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Tracing their roots to the 1st Century BCE, these caves are largely empty chambers. King Kharavela reshapes the Kingdom of Kalinga as he rises leaning towards Jainism. His desire was to build a shelter for the hermits, who were nomads and didn't like to stay in one place for more than day. This craving was his inspiration to the creation of the Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves.
Over two thousand years ago when the caves were built, the monsoon months lasted four months and it was during the rainy season that the monks required a place to settle down. The chambers in the caves were resting places for the monks. Overlooking the forest and the lush greenery of the region, the monks would feel right at home steps away from nature. Kharavela's genuis was also paramount for he built he chambers on a slight incline to allow the the monsoon water to flow down and not congregate within the confines of the shelter.
For other than those four months though, the caves served the purpose of an amphitheatre. Kharavela would call upon a congregation of his subjects and listen to their troubles as well as host cultural performances here. As you walk along the ruins, you'll notice that a lot of the sculptures have eroded. Interestingly, the stones from the cave were used in the creation of many Kalinga styled temples hence, the damage.
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Most of the caves are not natural ones but are rock cuts and are believed to have been dwelling cells and meditation quarters for Jain monks of the time. The monks are believed to have lived here under harsh conditions and yet have been able to produce stunning and intricate sculptures depicting the royalty, courts, religious symbols, and ordinary life of society.
The carvings that are still intact are extraordinarily detailed and narrate the King's love story with his second wife. You'll see how the King comes to the forest in search for a hunt and rescues his future wife who has escaped from her kidnappers. It is in these carvings where you see Kharavela go through a change of heart as did Ashoka when Kharavela's to-be wife tells him not to kills the animal - an integral principal of Jainism.
The Ganesh Gumpa cave has two big statues of elephants carrying garlands at the entrance and is the first example of sculpture animals used as 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.
Vyaghra Gumpha is one of the popular caves in Udayagiri. The cave, which is in ruins, has the entrance carves like a large mouth of a tiger with single cell in cave acting as Tiger's throat. It is one of the most photographed sites in Udayagiri. The word vyaghra means tiger. The inscription found here tells that this cave belongs to the city judge Sabhuti.
Hati Gumpha is a large natural cavern. On the wall, the inscription erected by Kharavela is found. It is the main source of history of Kharavela. The cave is known as Hati Gumpha due to its exquisite carvings of elephant. The word hati means elephant. The Hathigumpha inscription consists of seventeen lines incised in deep cut Brahmi letters on the overhanging brow of a natural cavern Hathigumpha in the south side of the Udayagiri hill.
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