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Udayagiri Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Udayagiri

  • 01Udayagiri Caves

    Udayagiri Caves are located on picturesque hills very close to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack district. Udayagiri has got 18 caves in total and they are kept under high protection by Archeological Survey of India. These caves are unique masterpieces of ancient architecture, which were built by King Kharavela for the residential purposes of the Jain monks.

    It has to be noted that the Udayagiri Caves date back to the 2nd century BC. Magnificently carved and very vividly sculpted, these caves are a centre of attraction for many Buddhist tourists. A series of Buddhist monasteries and stupas that were recently excavated are seen here.

    Hordes of Buddhist tourists flock to this place. Of all the caves, Ranigumpha, Hathigumpha and Ganesagumpha are heavily sculptured and the inscriptions found here unveil several ancient historical facts belonging to the reign of Kharavela.

    One can find several beautiful sculptures in the other caves as well. Khandagiri caves present adjacent to the Udayagiri caves make the place worth visiting. These caves remain open for visiting from 8 am to 6 pm.

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  • 02Langudi Hills

    Langudi Hills

    Langudi Hills is a small hill in the Jajpur District, about 90 km away from Mahanadi delta. A beautiful river Kelua that flows across the hill and plains renders the hill picturesque beauty. Apart from being a scenic location, it houses the rarest Buddha sculpture of Odisha.

    The main attraction of this place is the 34 stupas made by cutting rocks which were excavated from this place. Along with this, the half smiling Buddha in the ‘Samadhi Mudra’ and various other postures contribute to the heavy influx of tourism in Langudi hills.

    This site has become a preserved location by the Archaeological Survey of India. Apart from this, several other extra ordinary sculptures of Hindu Goddesses are also present. The finest sculpture done on the rocks to carve out the beautiful deity ‘Tara’ with a smiling face and a body heavily ornamented, is a sight to marvel.

    Another rock cut image of ‘Prajnaparamita’ holding a lotus in one hand, indicates the prevalence of female cult during the ancient and medieval period.

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  • 03Buddhist Complex

    Buddhist Complex

    Buddhist Complex in Odisha is located on the hills of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Dhauligiri. Among these, the one present in Dhauligiri, located 14 km away from Udayagiri, is considered to be the most important one. Dhauligiri is believed to be the place where the famous Kalinga war was fought and where Emperor Ashoka adopted Buddhism in the quest to find the real truth of life, after leaving the chase for supremacy.

    Several inscriptions, rock edicts, stupas and Buddha’s sculptures excavated from this place indicate the fact that Ashoka was strongly inclined towards Buddhism. Several chaityas and pillars were also excavated from here.

    A white pagoda named as ‘Shanti Stupa’ built on top of the hill in 1970, is now home to numerous Buddhist pilgrims thronging to this place each year. Several Buddha statues are built inside this stupa making it a worthy visiting place. One Shiva Temple is also present on the hilltop where Shiv Ratri is celebrated with much fun and gaiety.

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  • 04Khandagiri Caves

    Khandagiri Caves

    Khandagiri Caves are situated adjacent to the Udayagiri caves at a distance of around 15 to 20 m. It can be reached through a flight of steps and the caves are ready to take the visitors on a ride to the glorious bygone era. It has 15 caves in total, mainly built for the residential purpose of the Jain monks.

    Some 2000 years old, these caves bear several inscriptions and sculptures on their walls. Embellished with several rock cut paintings and exquisite motifs these caves can easily impress visitors.

    On top of this majestic hill there is a beautifully carved and sculpted Jain Temple, which dates back to the 18th century. In late January every year, many holymen gather here to recite verses from the Hindu Epics and also to meditate. A fair also comes up in the same time to attract a huge crowd.

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  • 05Lalitgiri

    Lalitgiri

    Lalitgiri, along with Udayagiri and Ratnagiri form the ‘Pushpa University’ or the ‘Diamond Triangle’ which is home to one of the earliest Buddha Complexes ever found.

    Located at a distance of 27 km from Udayagiri, the main attraction of this place is the museum which treasures the relic casket containing the bones of Gautam Buddha and other ancient archaeological excavations which date back to the 1st century AD.

    Apart from several Buddha statues of different postures, statues of several Hindu Gods and Goddesses, several antique ornaments of gold and silver were also found which are now kept for public display.

    The apex of this sandstone hill houses the ruins of a brick monastery, series of votive stupas, chaitya hall and a renovated stone stupa with a backdrop of vast green fields. Currently, under the protection of the Archeological Survey of India, Lalitgiri also houses the extensive ruins of a temple which is heavily sculpted.

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  • 06Ratnagiri

    Ratnagiri is located at a distance of 73 km from Udayagiri. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this secluded and serene location was probably chosen by Buddhist monks for meditation purpose.

    Situated in the river valley of Brahmani and Birupa, Ratnagiri treasures the remains of a large Stupa surrounded by a series of votive stupas along with some Buddhist monasteries containing door jambs and lintel.

    One temple found with a curvilinear tower is a unique temple in itself. Several idols of Buddha in bronze and brass found during excavation are also kept for display in the Ratnagiri museum along with the other important discoveries.

    Several images of Hindu Goddesses were also found, which are now kept in the gallery of the museum. Ratnagiri remains open from 10 am to 5 pm all year round. Many Buddhist tourists as well as tourists from other religions come here to live the divinity of Buddhism present in the ambience of Ratnagiri.

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