udayagiri-khandagiri

Enjoy the Natural and Artificial Caves at Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves

Udayagiri and Khandagiri located at the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha. Here tourist will get both natural and artificial caves. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri. According to history these caves were built as residential blocks for Jain monks. There are sum of 33 caves are there in both the hills, 18 caves in Udayagiri and 15 caves in Khandagiri.

The Udayagiri hill falls on right side and Khandagiri hill falls on left side while entering into the area from Bhubaneswar. These hills are located at a distance of 10 km from Bhubaneswar main railway station and 6 km from Bhubaneswar airport. According to history these caves were carved during the reign of King Kharavela.

Caves at Udayagiri and Khandagiri to Visit

Rani Gumpha is the largest and most popular cave among the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri.

Bajaghara Gumpha is very simple and small cave. It has stone bed and pillow.

Chota Hathi Gumpha is a small cave. There are six small elephant figures here.

Alkapuri Gumpha has a relief sculpture of a lion holding its prey in its mouth.

Panasa Gumpha is very small and simple cave. It has no significant features.

Thakurani Gumpha has few tiny relief sculptures.

Patalapuri Gumpha is slightly bigger with a pillared verandah.

Mancapuri and Swargapuri Gumpha has a damaged Jain religious symbol.

Ganesha Gumpha is one of the most important caves in Udayagiri and is named due to carved figure of Ganesh.

Vyaghra Gumpha is one of the popular caves in Udayagiri. It is one of the most photographed sites in Udayagiri.

Hathi Gumpha is the main source of history of Kharavela. The inscription of Kharavela is found on the wall.

Jagannatha Gumpha is roughly cut cave with three entrances.

Rasui Gumpha is unusually very small cave.

Tatowa Gumpha The parrots are carved above the entrance arch and hence it is called as Tatowa Gumpha.

Tentuli Gumpha It is a small rock cut chamber with just one column.

Famous Places in the City to Roam Around Near Khandagiri and Udayagiri

Lingaraj temple is devoted to the Hindu god Harihara a form of Shiva and Vishnu. It is the biggest temple in the city.

Nandankanan Zoo is located in the Chandaka Forest. It is a garden of Pleasure and beauty of natural forest.

Dhauki Giri Shanti Stupa situated on the opposite of the Dhauli hill and by the river Daya is a famous Buddhist tourist destination.

Ram mandir is a place of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita. The temple is present in the heart of the city.

How to reach?

By Air– One Can take flight to Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.

By Train– The nearest railway stations is at Bhubaneswar railway station. It located at the heart of the city.

By Road– Many buses go to Bhubaneswar from different parts of the country.

Best Time to Visit

One can visit Bhubaneswar in the month of August to March.