KHANDAGIRI AND UDAYAGIRI HILLS (Syllabus GS Paper 1 –Art and Culture)

Context: President of India, visited the Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Rock-cut Caves in Odisha

• About: The twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri, situated 7 kilometers west of Bhubaneswar, represent the earliest Jain rock-cut architecture in eastern India.
• Historical Background: The rock-cut caves were commissioned in the 2nd century BC by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty.
• Discovered by: British Officer Andrew Sterling in the 19th century AD.
• Purpose: Originally built for Jain monks, providing residence and meditation spaces.
• Current Count: Initially, there were 117 caves constructed; today, only 33 remain.
• Distribution: 18 caves are situated in Udaygiri hill, while 15 are in Khandagiri hill.
• Major Caves of Udaygiri Caves

o Hathigumpha

o Rani Gumpha

o Ganesh Gumpha

o Vyaghra Gumpha

• Major Caves of Khandagiri Caves

o Barabhuji Gumpha

o Trushula Gumpha

o  Ambika Gumpha