Udayagiri–Khandagiri
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Overview
The Udayagiri–Khandagiri caves in Odisha are Jain caves of Kharavela and carry his Hathigumpha inscription.
The caves near Bhubaneswar were cut for Jain monks in the 1st century BCE.
The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela, king of Kalinga, is in a cave at Udayagiri and describes his deeds year by year.
Rani Gumpha is the largest and most decorated of the caves.
There are about 18 caves at Udayagiri and 15 at Khandagiri.
Kharavela belonged to the Mahameghavahana (Chedi) dynasty.
The caves were living quarters for monks rather than temples.
They are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Geography and key facts
- Odisha
- Jain caves
- Hathigumpha inscription
- Kharavela
- Rani Gumpha
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on rock-cut architecture.
Note for UPSC
Odisha; Kharavela's Hathigumpha inscription.
Questions link Jain sites with Tirthankaras and their states.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Udayagiri–Khandagiri yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Jain site
- State / UT
- Odisha
- Coordinates
- 20.263°N, 85.786°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.