Udayagiri and Khandagiri Jain Caves
Udayagiri Bhubaneswar · Khandagiri–Udayagiri
Kalinga (Maha-Meghavahana) early historic·Jain (Digambara) / Royal Kalinga·🇮🇳 Odisha, Bhubaneswar outskirts, sandstone twin hills Udayagiri–Khandagiri overlooking Dhauli, India
About
About Udayagiri and Khandagiri Jain Caves
Earliest Jain monastic caves in eastern India (2nd c. BCE–2nd c. CE) on twin sandstone hills near Bhubaneswar — 33 caves on Udayagiri and Khandagiri — excavated under Kalinga king Kharavela (c.40 BCE), whose 17-line Hathigumpha Brahmi inscription is longest early Indian royal inscription, recounting Kalinga war, Jain patronage and repatriation of Kalinga Jina. Rani Gumpha double-storey monastery is earliest multi-storey rock-cut chamber in India.
Why it mattersOnly contemporary text on Kalinga besides Ashoka's Dhauli edict 8 km away; Rani Gumpha is earliest double-storey Indian cave.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Kharavela dating — 1st c. BCE vs 1st c. CE?
Theories
- 01Jain royal legitimisation model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2nd c. BCE–2nd c. CE; Kharavela c.40 BCE
- Period
- Kalinga (Maha-Meghavahana) early historic
- Culture
- Jain (Digambara) / Royal Kalinga
- Builders
- King Kharavela, Jain monks
- Purpose
- Monsoon retreat for Jain acharyas and royal memorial
- Abandoned
- c.5th c. CE after Kalinga shift to Bhubaneswar Shaiva
- Rediscovered
- 1820s Mackenzie-Colebrooke; 1837 James Prinsep deciphered Hathigumpha
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.150–100 BCE
Rani Gumpha and other caves hewn for Jain monks
c.40 BCE
Kharavela inscribes Hathigumpha record of campaigns and patronage
On the ground
Structures & features
20.2630° N · 85.7860° E · 70 m · 2 mapped features
Hathigumpha (Elephant Cave) with inscription
cave inscriptionLarge cave with Kharavela 17-line Brahmi on brow
20.2632° N · 85.7862° ERani Gumpha (Queen's Cave)
monastery caveDouble-storey seven-cell monastery with friezes
20.2628° N · 85.7858° E
Gallery