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Khandagiri and Udaygiri Caves
Khandagiri and Udaygiri Caves
first century BC): Just 7 kms west of Bhubaneswar are the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri, the next major Odishan historical monument after Ashoka s rock!cut edict" #he rocks of the Khandagiri and Udaygiri hills were car$ed and tunneled, to create this multi!storied ancient a%artment residence for Jain monks" #hey were the work of the first known Odishan ruler, King Khara$ela, and %robably begun in the first century B&" Khara$ela was a king of the 'ahamegha$ahana dynasty, who is known for ex%ansion of the Kalinga em%ire and his installation of %ublic im%ro$ements, such as canal systems" (is )ueen was e$idently )uite a %atron of the arts, and %robably had much to do with the im%ressi$e scul%tural decoration of the ca$es" As you a%%roach the site, Khandagiri, with its *+ ca$es will be on the left" Udaygiri will be on the right" #he *, ca$es of Udaygiri include the famous Hathi Gumpha - .le%hant &a$e / with its famous inscri%tion of Khara$ela" 0rom the inscri%tion, we learn much about Khara$ela s military ex%loits, and also that his royal city had gate towers, bathing and drinking tanks, and was the scene of formally organi1ed music and dance %erformances, as well as s%orting and social e$ents" #he city, says the inscri%tion, 2 was made to dance with joy2" Khara$ela was e$idently a skilled musician, and it seems as if he created a remarkable center of the arts" #he famous Rani Gumpha - 3ueen s &a$e /, also on Udaygiri, has u%%er and lower stories, a s%acious courtyard, and elaborate scul%tural frie1es" #he car$ings show %o%ular legends, historical scenes, and religious functions, as well as many dancers" #he style seems )uite well!de$elo%ed, and of a singular grace and li$eliness" #he Ganesha Gumpha, which is reached by a walkway from the lower storey of the Rani Gumpha, is isolated, and %erha%s for this reason, better %reser$ed" 4ts two dwelling!s%aces with $erandah in front are reached by a short staircase from the courtyard" All of the ca$es are small, and follow the natural configurations of the li$ing rock " #he scul%ture throughout exhibits a strong, li$ely folk element, which has been executed with a sure and confident hand" Already, the s%aces are filled with animal, human, and di$ine %ersonages and decorati$e details, showing at an early stage the lo$e of the Odishan artist for richly elaborated scenes"
i+)ortan"e lies to the $a+o&s ins"ri)tion o$ -ing Khara#ela engra#ed on its 'row. The 17 line ins"ri)tion re"ords the e*)editions o$ -ing Khara#ela in"l&ding #i"tory o$ :agadha and retrie#al o$ ,aina "< i+age ta-en away 'y the Nanda -ing long 'e$ore. The de)i"tion o$ 24 Tirthan-aras along with 2asanade#is in the %ara'h&?i "a#e0 2&rya 7a?ala-s+i and ,aina sy+'ols in the 1nanta 7&+)ha o$ Khandagiri in rele$ are nota'le a"hie#e+ent o$ early +edie#al /ndian art. %esides0 re+ains o$ an a)sidal str&"t&re was &nearthed in 1958 ato) the Udayagiri.is the $irst earliest str&"t&re o$ its -ind in eastern /ndia. The +on&+ent re+ains o)en $ro+ s&nrise to s&nset. ntry $ee $or 5iti<ens o$ /ndia and #isitors o$ 21145 (%angladesh0 Ne)al0 %h&tan0 2ri Lan-a0 @a-istan0 :aldi#es and 1$ghanistan! and %/:2T 5 5o&ntries (%angladesh0 Ne)al0 %h&tan0 2ri Lan-a0 Thailand and :yan+ar! . 4s. 5 )er head and $or ea"h $oreigner is 4s. 100.00 or U2 A2.00 and $ree entry $or "hildren 'elow 15 years.