Dhauli Hill
Hill site with Ashoka rock edicts and peace stupa
On the Daya River plain near Bhubaneswar, Dhauli hosts Ashokan rock edicts and the white Shanti Stupa; visitors come for Buddhist monuments, historical inscriptions and views over the floodplain.
Dhauli at a Glance#
Address: Dhauli (Shanti Stupa area), near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Hours: Daily (dawn-dusk recommended for visiting the Shanti Stupa and grounds)
Admission: Free
About Dhauli#
Dhauli is a low hill on the banks of the Daya River in Odisha, India, noted for its association with the Kalinga War and for rock inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka dating to the 3rd century BCE. The site is marked by an easily recognisable white Peace Pagoda and the surviving Ashokan edicts.
The hilltop area contains the Dhauli Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) and visible rock-cut inscriptions that record Ashoka’s edicts. The location is visited for its historical inscriptions, religious symbolism and views over the river plain.
Historically the site is linked to the Kalinga War, the conflict that prompted Ashoka’s embrace of dhamma and the commissioning of rock edicts across his realm in the mid 3rd century BCE. The modern Peace Pagoda was built in the 20th century as a monument to nonviolence and reconciliation.
Dhauli lies on the Daya River plain, roughly 8 to 10 kilometres south of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, and is accessed by road from the state capital.
- Ashokan inscriptions: The site’s rock edicts date to the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and mark the area associated with the Kalinga War.
- Peace Pagoda: The hilltop Peace Pagoda is a 20th-century construction that commemorates peace and Ashoka’s post-war conversion to nonviolence.
What to See#
- Dhauli Shanti Stupa: A white-domed Peace Pagoda on the hilltop provides a focal point for visitors and pilgrims and is visible across the surrounding plain.
- Ashokan rock edicts: Rock faces at the site carry Ashokan inscriptions and rock edicts dating to the 3rd century BCE, which record royal edicts and moral injunctions.
- Viewpoint and interpretation: A riverside viewpoint and small interpretation area allow views over the Daya River plain and the site associated with the Kalinga War.
How to Get to Dhauli#
Dhauli (the Dhauli Hill and Peace Pagoda) lies just outside Bhubaneswar in Odisha. The site is reachable by road from Bhubaneswar by taxi, auto-rickshaw or local bus services in roughly a 20-30 minute drive; follow local signs toward Dhauli from the city (the site is on the banks of the Daya River). Bhubaneswar is the nearest major city and has the main rail and air links for accessing the area.
Tips for Visiting Dhauli#
- Visit early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and softer light when viewing the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) and outdoor monuments.
- Approach Dhauli from Bhubaneswar by road-there is parking at the base and a short climb to the hilltop complex where the stupa and Ashokan rock edicts are located.
- Don't miss the Ashokan inscriptions and the hilltop viewpoint over the Daya River; read up on the Kalinga War beforehand to get more from the site.
Best Time to Visit Dhauli#
The cool, dry months (roughly October-February) are the best time to visit Dhauli for comfortable conditions and minimal rain.
Weather & Climate near Dhauli#
Dhauli's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in May) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 15°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1541 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 16° - 28° | 22° | 11 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 1.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.9h |
| February | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 1.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.4h |
| March | Excellent | 22° - 33° | 30° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 1.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 25° - 35° | 33° | 30 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 2.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.5h |
| May | Very Good | 26° - 36° | 37° | 74 mm | some cloud | 69% | 2.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.0h |
| June | Acceptable | 26° - 34° | 37° | 205 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.2h |
| July | Acceptable | 26° - 31° | 34° | 338 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.1h |
| August | Acceptable | 26° - 31° | 35° | 375 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.7h |
| September | Acceptable | 26° - 32° | 35° | 232 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 174 mm | some cloud | 81% | 1.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Ideal | 19° - 29° | 24° | 51 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 1.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.1h |
| December | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 21° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 1.0 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 10.8h |
