Dhauligiri

Get There

The Rock Edicts found here include Nos. I-X, XIV and two separate Kalinga Edicts. In Kalinga Edict VI, he expresses his concern for the “welfare of the whole world”. The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha. The stone elephant shows the animal’s foreparts only, though it has a fine sense of form and movement.It is considered as one of the few remains of Mauryan art.

Ashoka had a special weakness for Dhauli, where the battle was fought. The Daya river is said to have turned red with the blood of the many deceased after the battle, and enabled Ashoka to realize the magnitude of horror associated with war. He saw to it that Dhauli became an important centre of Buddhist activities. He built several chaityas, stupas and pillars there. He got abodes excavated for the recluse, instructions inscribed for officials, expounded the main principles of dandaniti (strict enforcement of laws) for the public, provided special status to his new kingdom including the stupas at Dhauli.

Timing

The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhuwaneswar, which is 6 km away. Well connected by rail to all major tour destinations of the country. Bhubaneswar is on the National Highway linking Kolkata 480 km to Chennai 1225 km. There are only a few buses specifically plying to the caves but there are plenty going by the near by road junction. Otherwise you can also avail private cars and taxis from Bhubaneswar station.
It is about just 6 km away from Bhubaneshwar town separated by the national highway NH-5.