Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Kattaka Caves
Udayagiri caves
Map showing the location of Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Map showing the location of Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Map showing the location of Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Map showing the location of Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
LocationBhubaneswar in Odisha, India
Coordinates20°15′46″N 85°47′10″E / 20.2628312°N 85.7860297°E / 20.2628312; 85.7860297

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, formerly called Kattaka Caves or Cuttack caves, are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription.[1] They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during the 1st century BCE.[2][3] It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela.[4] Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves.[5]

The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena or leṇa in the inscriptions, these were taken out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jain ascetics. The most importance of this group was Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery. Other important caves include Hathi Gumpha, Ananta Gumpha, Ganesha Gumpha, Jaya Vijaya Gumpha, Mancapuri Gumpha, Bagha/Byaghra/Vyaghra Gumpha and Sarpa Gumpha.[6]

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has listed that Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in the list of "Must See" Indian Heritage.[3]

The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are listed as one of the Adarsh Smarak Monument by ASI.[7]

  1. ^ Shah 1995, p. 30.
  2. ^ Michell 1990, pp. 238–240.
  3. ^ a b "Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Odisha". "Must See" Indian Heritage. Archaeological Survey of India.
  4. ^ Krishan & Tadikonda 1996, p. 23.
  5. ^ Pandya 2014, p. 6.
  6. ^ Kapoor 2002, p. 375.
  7. ^ "Adarsh Smarak Monument". Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 2 May 2022.

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