Jaugada, in Ganjam district of southern Odisha, is one of only two places in the state where the emperor Ashoka’s Kalinga edicts survive on living rock. The inscriptions sit beside the earthen ramparts of an ancient Mauryan fort on the bank of the Rishikulya river, a quiet, uncrowded counterpart to the better-known Dhauli near Bhubaneswar.
Jaugada is an Archaeological Survey of India protected site in Ganjam district, Odisha, where a granite outcrop carries Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts 1 to 10 and 14 plus two Separate Kalinga Edicts, set within a ruined Mauryan fort identified with the ancient city of Samapa.
Key takeaways
- Jaugada holds Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts 1-10 and 14 and two Separate Kalinga Edicts, carved in Prakrit using the Brahmi script, dated to around 250 BCE.
- It is one of two Kalinga edict sites in Odisha; the other is Dhauli, near Bhubaneswar, roughly 250 km to the north-east.
- The edicts stand beside a ruined earthen fort linked to the Mauryan provincial capital of Samapa, on the bank of the Rishikulya river.
- Reach it via Berhampur (Brahmapur) railway station on the Howrah-Chennai main line, about 35-40 km south-east, then a hired vehicle; it is roughly 10 km from Purushottampur.
- Jaugada is an ASI-protected monument; the Survey has built a shelter over the rock and chemically treated the inscriptions.
- Pair the visit with the Tara Tarini hill shrine and the coast at Gopalpur for a comfortable one-day trip from Berhampur.
About Jaugada and quick facts
Jaugada is a ruined fortress and Ashokan edict site in Ganjam district, Odisha, identified by scholars with the ancient Mauryan town of Samapa. It is also recorded in older sources as Jaugarh. The site sits on the left bank of the Rishikulya (also written Rushikulya) river, near Pandia village, at the edge of a low hill range.
The name is usually explained from the Odia words jau (lac) and gada (fort), giving “lac fort.” According to local tradition the fort walls were once made of lac; no trace of such walls survives, so this reading is best treated as folk etymology rather than history.
Two things make the place matter: the Ashokan inscriptions on a granite rock inside the enclosure, and the earthwork ramparts of the Mauryan-era fort around them. Both are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Ganjam district, Odisha, on the Rishikulya river |
| Ancient name | Samapa (Mauryan provincial centre of Kalinga) |
| Coordinates | About 19.5226 N, 84.8309 E (per Wikipedia) |
| What is here | Ashoka’s rock edicts and a ruined earthen fort |
| Edicts | Major Rock Edicts 1-10 and 14, plus two Separate Kalinga Edicts |
| Script / language | Brahmi script, Prakrit language |
| Date | Around 250 BCE (Ashoka’s reign) |
| Nearest town | Purushottampur, about 10 km |
| Nearest major station | Berhampur (Brahmapur), about 35-40 km |
| Protection | ASI-protected monument |
The Ashoka edicts: what the rock says
The Jaugada rock carries Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts 1 to 10 and 14, together with two Separate Kalinga Edicts, according to the Archaeological Survey of India and standard epigraphic accounts. The inscriptions are cut in the Brahmi script in the Prakrit language on granite, and are dated to about 250 BCE.
Odisha Tourism describes the inscribed rock face as roughly 30 feet long and 15 feet high. Unlike the standard set of fourteen edicts found elsewhere, Jaugada omits the usual Edicts 11, 12 and 13; in their place stand the two Separate Edicts addressed specifically to Kalinga. The same pairing appears at Dhauli.
The content is administrative and moral rather than triumphal. The Separate Edicts are addressed to the mahamatras (senior officers) of Samapa. In the text summarised on epigraphy sources, Ashoka declares “All men are my children,” asks his officers to treat the people as a father would, and reassures the unconquered peoples beyond the frontier that they need not fear him.
The edict also instructs that it be read aloud on fixed days, including the Tishya (Tissa) day, so that officials and ordinary people alike would hear the king’s intentions. These are among the earliest records of state policy framed around welfare and restraint in the Indian subcontinent.
Jaugada and Dhauli: the two Kalinga edict sites
Jaugada and Dhauli are the two sites in Odisha where Ashoka’s Separate Kalinga Edicts survive, and they are often confused, so it helps to keep them apart. Dhauli lies just south of Bhubaneswar, close to the traditional site of the Kalinga war; Jaugada lies far to the south in Ganjam district.
Both rocks carry Major Rock Edicts 1-10 and 14 plus the two Separate Edicts, but the addressees differ. The Dhauli edicts name the officials of Tosali, the provincial capital in the north; the Jaugada edicts name the officers of Samapa, the southern centre. If you are planning around Bhubaneswar, see our Bhubaneswar travel guide for Dhauli; Jaugada suits a trip based in Berhampur or Ganjam.
For context across the state, our Odisha travel guide sets both edict sites alongside Odisha’s temples, beaches and Buddhist remains.
| Feature | Jaugada | Dhauli |
|---|---|---|
| District | Ganjam (south Odisha) | Khordha, near Bhubaneswar |
| Ancient centre named | Samapa | Tosali |
| Edicts | Major 1-10, 14 + 2 Separate | Major 1-10, 14 + 2 Separate |
| Famous addition nearby | Ruined Mauryan earthen fort | Rock-cut elephant; later peace pagoda |
| Visitor footfall | Low, quiet | Higher, well-signposted |
The ancient fort and Samapa
The edicts stand inside a ruined fort that scholars identify with Samapa, a fortified provincial capital of the Mauryan empire in conquered Kalinga. The surviving defences are earthworks rather than stone or brick. The 19th-century surveyor J. D. Beglar recorded earthen towers at the four corners and flanking the eight gateways, with a moat around the enclosure.
The fort plan is broadly rectangular. Wikipedia, citing older measurements, gives opposite sides of roughly 858 and 814 yards, and field accounts note the earthen bank still standing in places. The popular “lac walls” story is legend; what you actually see on the ground are grassed-over earthen ramparts and a silted ditch.
The ASI investigated the site in the 1950s. Debala Mitra of the Survey cut a trench through the northern glacis in 1956, near the Kaleswar and Rameswar Shiva temples within the enclosure. The modern inscriptions were brought to wider scholarly notice again by a University of Heidelberg team documented in 2001.
Best time to visit Jaugada
The best time to visit Jaugada is the cool, dry window from November to February, when daytime heat is manageable and the site’s open, unshaded ground is comfortable to walk. Coastal Ganjam is hot and humid for much of the year, so plan around the weather rather than any festival.
Summer, from March to June, can be harsh. The monsoon, roughly June to September, greens the hills but can make the unpaved approach muddy and the rock slippery. There are no fixed visitor seasons or ticketed slots at the site itself.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov-Feb | Cool and dry; the best time for the site and nearby coast |
| Summer | Mar-Jun | Hot and humid; start early, carry water and sun cover |
| Monsoon | Jun-Sep | Green but wet; muddy approach, slippery rock |
| Post-monsoon | Oct | Humid, clearing; acceptable with care |
How to reach Jaugada
The simplest way to reach Jaugada is to travel to Berhampur (Brahmapur) and hire a vehicle for the final 35-40 km, as there is little direct public transport to the site. Jaugada sits roughly 10 km from Purushottampur, the nearest town, and around 160-170 km south-west of Bhubaneswar.
By air: The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (Biju Patnaik International, code BBI). From there it is a long road or rail leg south to the Ganjam region.
By rail: Berhampur (station code BAM) is the practical railhead, on the Howrah-Chennai main line of East Coast Railway, so it is well connected along the coast. Confirm current trains and timings on IRCTC or NTES before you book.
By road: From Berhampur or Purushottampur, hire a taxi or auto; local sources note that buses and shared transport near the site are infrequent, so arrange your vehicle in advance and keep the driver with you.
| From | Distance | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Purushottampur | About 10 km | Taxi / auto |
| Berhampur (Brahmapur) station | About 35-40 km | Hired car |
| Gopalpur-on-Sea | About 50 km (via Berhampur) | Hired car |
| Bhubaneswar | About 160-170 km | Rail + road |
What to see at the site
The main thing to see at Jaugada is the sheltered granite rock bearing Ashoka’s edicts, which the ASI has roofed and treated to slow weathering. Give yourself time to walk the earthen ramparts around it, where the scale of the old fort becomes clear.
The enclosure is open ground with the Kaleswar and Rameswar Shiva temples inside it. There is no museum or interpretation centre on site, so read up on the edicts beforehand. Allow about 45 minutes to an hour for a relaxed visit.
| Spot | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| The edict rock | Ashoka’s inscriptions under an ASI shelter | 20-30 min |
| Fort ramparts and moat | Earthworks of the Mauryan fort (Samapa) | 20-30 min |
| Shiva temples in the enclosure | Small living shrines within the site | 10-15 min |
| Rishikulya riverbank | Quiet riverside setting below the hillock | Optional |
A suggested short itinerary
Jaugada works best as a half-day stop within a Ganjam day trip, since the site itself takes under an hour. A comfortable single day from Berhampur might look like this:
- Morning: Early start from Berhampur; drive to Jaugada, see the edict rock and walk the ramparts.
- Midday: Continue to the Tara Tarini hill shrine near Purushottampur; lunch in town.
- Afternoon: Return towards the coast for the beach at Gopalpur-on-Sea, or head to Taptapani if you prefer the hills.
- Evening: Back in Berhampur for the night or an onward train.
Where to stay
There is no tourist accommodation at Jaugada itself, so base yourself in Berhampur, which has the widest choice, or at Gopalpur-on-Sea for a coastal stay. Book ahead in the winter season and around festivals.
- Budget: Simple hotels and lodges in Berhampur, roughly ₹900-1,800 a night (indicative planning estimate, October 2026 – reconfirm).
- Mid-range: Business-style hotels in Berhampur and beachfront options at Gopalpur, roughly ₹2,500-5,000 (indicative – reconfirm).
- Upper / resort: Established resorts at Gopalpur-on-Sea, from about ₹6,000 upward (indicative – reconfirm).
OTDC (Odisha Tourism Development Corporation) runs Panthanivas properties in the region; check the official Odisha Tourism site for current tariffs and availability.
Food to try nearby
Ganjam’s food is coastal Odia: rice-based, mild and often built around fresh river or sea fish. You will not find restaurants at the site, so eat in Purushottampur, Berhampur or Gopalpur.
- Pakhala (fermented rice soaked in water, served with fried sides) – a staple, especially welcome in the heat.
- Macha besara (fish in a mustard-and-spice gravy) – common wherever fish is fresh.
- Dahi baigana (fried brinjal in a yoghurt sauce) – a simple vegetarian favourite.
- Odia sweets such as chhena poda (baked cottage-cheese dessert) in town bakeries.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to Jaugada is inexpensive because the site has no entry charge that we could verify and the main cost is the hired vehicle. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for one person as of October 2026 and should be reconfirmed locally.
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hired car (shared by 3-4) | ₹600-1,000 | Full-day local taxi, split |
| Meals | ₹200-400 | Local eateries |
| Site entry | Nil (unverified) | No ASI fee found; reconfirm |
| Incidentals | ₹100-300 | Water, snacks, temple donation |
| Approx total | ₹900-1,700 | Excludes stay and long-distance travel |
Permits, rules and photography
No special permit is needed to visit Jaugada; it is an open ASI-protected site and not in any restricted or inner-line zone. We could not find a published ASI entry fee or fixed opening hours for the monument, so treat it as a daylight-hours visit and reconfirm with the ASI Bhubaneswar Circle or Odisha Tourism before travelling.
As at any protected monument, do not touch, chalk or take rubbings of the inscriptions, and do not climb on the rock or ramparts. Still photography for personal use is generally allowed at ASI sites; for drones, ASI and local authorities require prior permission, so do not fly one without written clearance.
Practical tips
Jaugada is a rural, open site with no facilities, so come prepared and treat it as a short, self-contained stop. A few practical notes:
- Vehicle: Keep your hired car and driver with you; onward transport from the site is unreliable.
- Cash and connectivity: Carry some cash; mobile network and UPI can be patchy in the countryside. Draw money in Berhampur or Purushottampur.
- Sun and water: The enclosure is unshaded. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, especially outside winter.
- Health: The nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Berhampur; carry any personal medicines.
- Solo women travellers: The site is quiet and remote, so visit in daylight, ideally with a known local driver, and tell someone your plan.
- Footwear: Wear closed shoes for the grassy ramparts and uneven ground.
Nearby places
Jaugada pairs naturally with Ganjam’s temples, coast and hills, most within an easy drive of Berhampur. The distances below are approximate and should be reconfirmed for your route.
| Place | Approx distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Tara Tarini hill shrine | Near Purushottampur (about 30 km from Berhampur) | Hilltop Shakti shrine with a ropeway, above the Rishikulya |
| Gopalpur-on-Sea | About 16 km from Berhampur | Quiet beach town and old port on the Bay of Bengal |
| Taptapani | About 50 km from Berhampur | Hot sulphur spring in the hills (per Ganjam district administration) |
| Berhampur (Brahmapur) | About 35-40 km | Regional hub, silk weaving, rail and road connections |
Frequently asked questions
What is Jaugada famous for?
Jaugada is famous for Ashoka’s Kalinga rock edicts, carved around 250 BCE in Brahmi script. The rock in Ganjam district, Odisha, carries Major Rock Edicts 1-10 and 14 plus two Separate Kalinga Edicts, set within a ruined Mauryan earthen fort identified with the ancient city of Samapa.
Where is Jaugada located?
Jaugada is in Ganjam district, in southern Odisha, on the bank of the Rishikulya river near Pandia village. It lies about 10 km from Purushottampur, roughly 35-40 km north-west of Berhampur (Brahmapur), and around 160-170 km south-west of the state capital, Bhubaneswar.
How is Jaugada different from Dhauli?
Both Jaugada and Dhauli carry Ashoka’s Kalinga edicts, but they are different sites. Dhauli is near Bhubaneswar, close to the Kalinga war site, and its edicts name the officials of Tosali. Jaugada is far south in Ganjam, and its edicts address the officers of Samapa.
Which Ashoka edicts are at Jaugada?
Jaugada carries Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts 1 to 10 and 14, plus two Separate Kalinga Edicts, according to the ASI and standard epigraphy. It omits the usual Edicts 11, 12 and 13; the Separate Edicts, addressed to the officers of Samapa, take their place and are written in Prakrit in the Brahmi script.
How do I reach Jaugada and is there an entry fee?
Reach Jaugada via Berhampur (Brahmapur) railway station on the Howrah-Chennai line, then hire a vehicle for the last 35-40 km, as public transport is scarce. We could not find a published ASI entry fee for the monument; treat it as an open, free, daylight-hours site and reconfirm with ASI or Odisha Tourism.
What is the best time to visit Jaugada?
The best time to visit Jaugada is November to February, when the coastal Ganjam climate is cool and dry and the open, unshaded site is comfortable to walk. Summer is hot and humid, and the monsoon can make the unpaved approach muddy and the rock slippery.
Last updated and sources
Jaugada rewards travellers who care about early Indian history and want a quiet alternative to Dhauli; go in the cool months, base yourself in Berhampur, and keep the visit short and self-guided.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Odisha Tourism – Jaugada Ashokan rock edict; Wikipedia – Jaugada (for Beglar’s fort description, ASI trench and coordinates); Sambad English – Jaugada rock edict; The Pioneer – Jaugada home to another Ashoka rock edict; Puratattva – Kalinga Separate Edict II; Ganjam District Administration – Taptapani; Brahmapur railway station (Howrah-Chennai line, Gopalpur distance). Accessed September 2026.
