Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves Religious Site

Address: Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are a pair of adjacent hill sites with rock-cut Jain monastic caves near Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India, dating principally to the early historic period. The complex is best known for its carved facades, monastic halls and inscriptions.

The site includes carved chambers, relief panels and Brahmi inscriptions across roughly 18 caves, most reached by short uphill walks and stairways. Highlights include the Hathigumpha cave with a long inscription and several well-preserved multi-chamber caves showing monastic layouts and carved entrances.

The caves were excavated and dedicated as Jain dwellings and monasteries in the period associated with King Kharavela of Kalinga, commonly placed in the 1st century BCE; the inscriptions and reliefs record patronage and monastic life and have been studied by archaeologists and epigraphists since the 19th century.

The hills lie on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, a short drive northwest from the city center; the pair of hills sit close to each other and are easily visited together as a half-day trip from Bhubaneswar.

• Visiting tips: Most caves are on short climbs and connected by stepped paths; early morning or late afternoon visits avoid the heat and give better light for photography.
• Hathigumpha inscription: Contains an important historical inscription recording the deeds of King Kharavela; photography is common but respect site signage and protected areas.

What to See#

• Hathigumpha Cave: Hathigumpha cave on Udayagiri contains a long inscription attributed to King Kharavela and is one of the most important archaeological features of the site.
• Rani Gumpha: Rani Gumpha on Khandagiri is a large, multi-level cave with carved facade panels and antechambers that illustrate monastic living spaces and architectural detail.
• Cave complex: The broader complex comprises roughly 18 rock-cut caves spread across the two adjacent hills, with carved facades, reliefs and Brahmi inscriptions dating to the early historic period.

The caves are about 8 km from Bhubaneswar city center. From Bhubaneswar railway station or bus stands, take a taxi or local bus toward the Udayagiri hills. The site is signposted from major roads and has a short climb from the parking area.

• Wear lightweight shoes with good grip-the caves have shallow steps and often damp, slippery floors.
• Hire a local guide at the site; they will explain the iconography of the carved panels and bring the stories of the 2nd-1st millennium BCE to life.
• Combine the visit with a tour of the nearby Dhauli and the Jagannath Temple in Puri to understand the region's layered spiritual geography.