The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves of Odisha

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, a pair of hills honeycombed with ancient rock-cut cells near Bhubaneswar in Odisha, are among the oldest and most important rock-cut monuments of eastern India. Carved largely as retreats for Jain ascetics, the caves are associated with the Kharavela, or Mahameghavahana, dynasty and are generally dated to around the first to second centuries before the common era. They preserve the celebrated Hathigumpha inscription of the king Kharavela and remarkable carved cells such as the multi-storeyed Rani Gumpha. These caves belong to the great tradition of Indian rock-cut sacred architecture outlined in the guide to Indian sculpture. This article explains, with respect for their Jain heritage, the location, history, carving, inscriptions and living significance of these ancient hills of Odisha.

Key Takeaways

• The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are ancient rock-cut caves on two hills near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• They were carved largely as retreats for Jain ascetics and are revered in the Jain tradition.
• The caves are associated with the Kharavela, or Mahameghavahana, dynasty.
• They are generally dated to around the first to second centuries before the common era.
• The famous Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela is carved at the site.
• Notable cells include the multi-storeyed Rani Gumpha on Udayagiri hill.

The sections below explain where the caves lie, how they were carved and what a visitor can still see today.

Quick Facts

What Are the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are a group of ancient rock-cut caves carved into two neighbouring hills near Bhubaneswar in Odisha, counted among the oldest and most important rock-cut monuments of eastern India. They were made largely as retreats and dwellings for Jain ascetics, and they remain revered within the Jain tradition. What distinguishes the caves is their antiquity, their connection with the Kharavela dynasty and the wealth of carving and inscription they preserve, including the celebrated Hathigumpha inscription and the multi-storeyed Rani Gumpha. The two hills together honeycombed with cells give a vivid picture of early monastic life and of the art of rock-cutting in India. Set in a scenic location near the capital, they are a major heritage site. The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are therefore best understood, with respect for their Jain significance, as an ancient and valuable record of religion, history and art in the Odisha of over two thousand years ago.

Where Are the Caves Located?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are located on two low hills a short distance from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, in the eastern part of India. The two hills face one another across a road or gap, and together they form a single important archaeological and religious site. Bhubaneswar is famous as a temple city, and the caves add an ancient and distinct chapter to the heritage of the area, being far older than most of the temples for which the city is known. The proximity of the caves to the capital makes them readily accessible to visitors touring the region. The hills rise amid the countryside on the outskirts of the growing city. The location of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves therefore places them within easy reach of Bhubaneswar, among the treasures that make the area one of the richest heritage landscapes in India, combining ancient caves with later temple architecture.

Why Were the Caves Made for Jain Ascetics?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves were made largely as retreats and dwellings for Jain ascetics, who sought quiet places apart from the world for their life of renunciation, meditation and discipline. In the Jain tradition, monks and ascetics have long valued seclusion for their spiritual practice, and rock-cut cells in hillsides offered durable and simple shelters suited to their austere way of life. The patronage of rulers and devotees allowed such cells to be carved and dedicated for the use of the ascetic community. The caves thus reflect the importance of Jainism in early Odisha and the support it received. Treated with the respect due to a living faith, the site remains significant to Jains today. The making of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves for Jain ascetics therefore reflects the devotional purpose at the heart of the monument, which was created to shelter those who had dedicated their lives to the Jain path.

Who Was Kharavela?

Kharavela was a king of the Kharavela, or Mahameghavahana, dynasty that ruled in the region of Kalinga, roughly present-day Odisha, in ancient times, and he is closely associated with the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves. He is remembered above all through the famous Hathigumpha inscription at the site, which records events of his reign and his acts of patronage and devotion. Kharavela is generally regarded as a notable ruler and a patron of Jainism, under whom the carving of cave retreats on the hills was advanced. As with ancient rulers known mainly through inscriptions, the details of his reign are the subject of scholarly study and should be treated with appropriate care. His name is bound up with the history of the caves. Kharavela is therefore central to the story of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, for the monument is associated with his dynasty and preserves in the Hathigumpha inscription a record connected with his reign.

How Old Are the Caves?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are generally dated to around the first to second centuries before the common era, which places them among the earliest rock-cut monuments in India. This early date rests largely on the Hathigumpha inscription and the style of the carving, and scholars prefer to speak of an approximate period rather than exact years, given the antiquity of the site. The caves belong to the age of the Kharavela dynasty and reflect the religious and artistic currents of that distant time. Their great age makes them especially valuable for understanding the early history of rock-cut architecture, Jainism and the kingdom of Kalinga. Over the long centuries since, the caves have weathered and some carvings have been lost or worn. The age of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves therefore sets them among the ancient monuments of India, their rock-cut cells and inscriptions preserving evidence of religion and art from more than two thousand years ago.

What Is the Hathigumpha Inscription?

The Hathigumpha inscription is the most famous feature of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, a lengthy ancient inscription carved at the site and associated with the reign of King Kharavela. Its name refers to the Hathigumpha, or Elephant Cave, near which it is cut into the rock. The inscription records matters relating to Kharavela’s reign, including his acts of patronage and devotion, and it is regarded as an important source for the early history of Kalinga and for the study of Jainism in the region. As an ancient epigraph, it has been the subject of careful scholarly reading and interpretation, and some details remain matters of study. Its presence gives the caves exceptional historical value. The Hathigumpha inscription is therefore a treasure of the site, a rare ancient record that connects the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves with King Kharavela and sheds light on the history and religion of ancient Odisha.

What Is the Rani Gumpha?

The Rani Gumpha, or Queen’s Cave, is among the most celebrated of the carved cells at Udayagiri, a notably large and elaborate cave worked into the hillside. Arranged on more than one level, it is one of the more ambitious excavations at the site, with cells opening onto open spaces and surfaces enriched with carving. Its scale and decoration set it apart from the simpler ascetic cells and reflect the importance and resources devoted to the caves. The carved panels and figures on such caves illustrate the art of the period and the themes that the craftsmen chose to depict. The Rani Gumpha gives visitors a vivid sense of the achievement of the ancient rock-cutters. The Rani Gumpha is therefore one of the highlights of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, a large and richly carved cave whose double-storeyed form and ornament make it a memorable example of early rock-cut architecture in Odisha.

What Are the Caves and Their Carvings Like?

The caves and their carvings display the austere simplicity of ascetic cells together with passages of fine ornament and figurative sculpture, worked directly into the rock of the hills. Many of the cells are small and plain, intended as shelters for Jain ascetics, while others, like the Rani Gumpha, are larger and adorned with carved panels, pilasters and decorative detail. The carvings include figures, friezes and ornamental motifs that illustrate the art of the age and, in places, scenes and themes connected with the life and beliefs of the time. Weathering over the centuries has worn some surfaces, yet much survives to reward close attention. The variety between plain cells and decorated caves reflects their different purposes. The caves and carvings of Udayagiri and Khandagiri therefore combine devotional simplicity with artistic richness, preserving some of the earliest rock-cut sculpture of eastern India in a setting of great antiquity and significance.

How Do Udayagiri and Khandagiri Differ?

Udayagiri and Khandagiri differ as the two neighbouring hills that together make up the site, each with its own caves and character. Udayagiri, generally the larger and more elaborately carved of the two, contains many of the most celebrated caves, including the Rani Gumpha and the cave associated with the Hathigumpha inscription. Khandagiri, facing it across the gap, has its own series of caves and, in later times, became associated with continuing Jain worship, with shrines added on the hill. Together the two hills form a single monument, and visitors commonly explore both. The relationship between them reflects the growth of the site over time and its enduring religious importance. Each hill rewards exploration in its own way. The difference between Udayagiri and Khandagiri therefore lies in their individual caves and histories, yet the two hills belong together as the twin heights that form one of the great ancient rock-cut sites of Odisha.

What Materials and Techniques Were Used?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves were created by carving directly into the living rock of the two hills, in the tradition of Indian rock-cut architecture that produced many of the country’s most celebrated monuments. Rather than building with assembled stones, the craftsmen cut cells, caves and ornament from the existing sandstone, working with simple tools and great patience to shape durable shelters and carved surfaces in place. The excavation of cells for ascetics, and of larger decorated caves such as the Rani Gumpha, demanded skill, planning and sustained labour. The living rock provided a lasting medium that has preserved the caves for over two thousand years. The technique of rock-cutting was among the great achievements of ancient Indian art. The materials and techniques of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves therefore show how religious devotion was expressed through the patient carving of the hillside, producing cells and sculpture that remain a valuable record of ancient Odisha.

Why Are the Caves Important for Jainism?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are important for Jainism because they are among the earliest and most significant monuments connected with the faith in eastern India, preserving evidence of its ancient presence in the region. Carved largely as retreats for Jain ascetics and associated with the patronage of King Kharavela, the caves reflect the early flourishing of Jainism in Kalinga. The Hathigumpha inscription and the carved cells provide valuable material for understanding the history and practice of the faith at that distant time. Khandagiri hill, with its later shrines, shows the continuing religious life of the site. For the Jain community the caves remain a place of reverence, and the heritage is treated with the respect due to a living faith. The importance of the caves for Jainism therefore lies in their antiquity and their witness to the early strength of the tradition in Odisha, making them a cherished monument of Jain heritage.

What Is the Setting of the Caves?

The setting of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves adds greatly to their appeal, for the two low hills rise amid the countryside on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, offering a scenic as well as a historic landscape. Climbing the hills, visitors move among the carved cells and caves while enjoying views over the surrounding country and the growing city beyond. The elevation and seclusion of the hills suited the needs of the ascetics for whom the caves were made, providing a place apart from everyday life. Trees and rock clothe the slopes, giving the site a tranquil character despite its proximity to the capital. The natural setting helped shape the rock-cut monument. The setting of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves therefore enhances the experience of visiting them, uniting the ancient cells and carvings with the quiet of the twin hills and reminding visitors why such heights were chosen for the religious life of the past.

How Do the Caves Compare With Other Rock-Cut Sites?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves compare with the other great rock-cut sites of India as early and important monuments within a tradition that spans many centuries and several faiths. India is rich in rock-cut architecture, including famous Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves carved across different regions and periods. The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are distinguished by their great antiquity, their largely Jain character, their connection with the Kharavela dynasty and the presence of the Hathigumpha inscription. Comparing them with other sites reveals both the common achievement of Indian rock-cutting and the particular history and purpose of each place. It also underlines the importance of eastern India in the early story of the tradition. The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves therefore hold a distinguished place among the rock-cut sites of India, representing an early chapter of the tradition and preserving a rare and valuable record of ancient Jain religion and art in Odisha.

How Are the Caves Protected and Preserved?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are preserved as protected heritage monuments, cared for by the authorities responsible for safeguarding India’s ancient sites. Such bodies document, conserve and protect the caves, cells, carvings and inscriptions, which are valued both for their religious meaning and for their historical importance. Challenges include the weathering of the sandstone, the effects of moisture and vegetation, and the wear caused by time and by the many visitors to the hills. Conservation work aims to stabilise and protect the fragile remains without altering their ancient character, using methods that respect the original fabric. Because the precise arrangements and status of a site can change, visitors are advised to consult current information from official heritage bodies. Respectful behaviour, including not touching or climbing on the carvings, helps protect them. The preservation of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves therefore depends on cooperation between the heritage authorities and the visitors who value this ancient and sacred monument.

How Can Visitors Plan a Trip to the Caves?

Visitors can plan a trip to the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves most easily as part of a visit to Bhubaneswar, travelling to the capital and continuing the short distance to the twin hills. The cooler, drier months from about October to February are generally the most comfortable for exploring the caves, which involves walking and some climbing on the hills, while the summer is hot and the monsoon can make the slopes slippery. Comfortable footwear, sun protection and water are advisable. Allowing unhurried time to see both hills, and to appreciate the Hathigumpha inscription and the Rani Gumpha, makes for a rewarding visit. The site combines well with the temples and museums of Bhubaneswar. Checking current arrangements in advance is sensible. A well prepared visit allows the ancient cells, carvings and inscriptions of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves to be appreciated calmly and with the respect due to their religious and historical importance.

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves Today

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves today remain among the most important ancient monuments of Odisha and a cherished part of India’s Jain heritage. Their rock-cut cells, carved caves such as the Rani Gumpha, and above all the famous Hathigumpha inscription continue to draw historians, pilgrims and travellers interested in the early religious and artistic past of eastern India. Associated with the Kharavela dynasty and generally dated to around the first to second centuries before the common era, they preserve a rare record of Jainism and of the kingdom of Kalinga. Continued conservation, respectful tourism and scholarly study help ensure that they endure for future generations. For those exploring Bhubaneswar, the twin hills offer a memorable encounter with the ancient roots of the region’s heritage. The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves thus stand, with the respect due to their living significance, as a lasting witness to the ancient faith and art of Odisha.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha (odishatourism.gov.in).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves located?

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are located on two neighbouring hills a short distance from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. The twin hills together form a single important ancient rock-cut site.

Who made the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves?

The caves were made largely as retreats for Jain ascetics and are associated with the Kharavela, or Mahameghavahana, dynasty. The king Kharavela, known from the Hathigumpha inscription, is particularly connected with the site.

How old are the caves?

The caves are generally dated to around the first to second centuries before the common era, making them among the earliest rock-cut monuments in India. The date rests largely on the Hathigumpha inscription and the style of the carving.

What is the Hathigumpha inscription?

The Hathigumpha inscription is a famous ancient inscription carved at the site and associated with the reign of King Kharavela. It is an important source for the early history of Kalinga and for the study of Jainism in the region.

What is the Rani Gumpha?

The Rani Gumpha, or Queen’s Cave, is one of the largest and most elaborate carved caves at Udayagiri, arranged on more than one level and enriched with sculpture. It is among the highlights of the site.

What is the best time to visit the caves?

The best time to visit is the cooler, drier season from about October to February, which is more comfortable for exploring the hills than the hot summer or the rainy monsoon. Comfortable footwear is helpful for the walking and climbing involved.