Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves are some of the evidence of ancient structures located in the capital city of Odisha state Bhubaneswar. Previously these caves are famous as Kattaka caves or Cuttack caves having religious and historical importance. As per the inscriptions of Hathigumpha Khandagiri and Udayagiri are also known as Kumari Parvata located side by side in a particular location. In the1st century BCE, the caves are made. During the era of King Kharabela, most of the caves here were the residence site of Jain monks. Udayagiri means the hills of Sunrise, and it is having 18 caves and 15 caves in Khandagiri. As per the inscriptions, the two hills are called as Lena or Leena. Hathi Gumpha, Jaya Vijaya Gumpha, Mancapuri Gumpha, Byagra Gumpha, and a double-storeyed monastery Rani Gumpha are some of the essential caves here. As per the Archaeological Survey of India, Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves got recognition as a Must-see Heritage site.
Udayagiri means the Sunrise Mountain. As per the Heliodorus pillar, Udayagiri and Vidisha were Buddhist and Bhagavata sites of the 2nd century. Buddhism was very much popular in Sanchi, a place near Udayagiri. As per the Archaeological pieces of evidence by Dass and Willis. Udyagiri was the Lion capital and there was a sun temple there. The site is also very famous as Visnupadagiri it means the hill at the feet of Lord Vishnu.
Udayagiri hills are located on the right side. Caves in Udayagiri are appropriately maintained. About 18 caves are there in Udayagiri.
Rani Gumpha: It is the most popular and the most significant caves among all the caves in Khandagiri and Udayagiri.It has some beautiful sculptures of ancient times. The cave has two floors. Each floor has three wings among which the bigger one is the central wing. There are seven entrances on the lower floor and nine columns on the upper floor. The central wing of the top floor contains several images of the Victory march of the king. Dwara pala images are there in some of the cells. Some of the areas include wild animals, human figures,fruit-laden trees, monkeys and elephants, women playing musical instruments sculptured in the walls. The palestras are decorated with the sculptures of beautiful torans to give a royal look.
Bajaghara Gumpha: It is a small cave with very simple designs. Jain monks used to rest here during ancient times as the stone beds and pillows give clear evidence of that.
Chota Hathi Gumpha: It is a small cave with six elephant images and a statue of Guardian.
Alakapuri Gumpha: The cave has a sculpture of a lion capturing prey in its mouth. Human structures can be found in the pillars of the cave.
Jaya Vijaya Gumpha: The cave contains the craving of female wearing different ornaments like earrings, hand bands, and attractively decorated hair. There is also a carving of a parrot resting on her waist.
Panasa Gumpha: It is a tiny cave and does not have any historical significance.
Thakurani Gumpha: The cave has a very simple design and minimal sculptures. The cave is a double storied.
Mancapuri and Swrgapuri Gumpha: One can find two male and female images worshipping the Jina of Kalinga that was brought by Kharvela back from Magadha. But now it is in broken condition for have Jain symbols previously it was used for worship. One of the three inscriptions inside the cave provides some details regarding the primary queen of King Kharavela. The other two provide us with an idea about the Kudepasiri and Badukha the successor of Kharavela.
Ganesha Gumpha: The cave has got its name because of the figure of Ganesha located on the backside of the cell. It is also an essential cave inside Udayagiri. Two huge elephant statue holding garland at the main entry point of the cell signifies animals used to guard at the entrances during that time. Also, the image of Dwara palas found at the entry point. The cave also narrates the beautiful story of the princess of Ujjayini Bassavadatta with the king of Kausambi in the companion of Vasantaka.
Patalipuri Gumpha: The cave is slightly bigger with pillared verandah, but it has not so many importances from a historical point of view.
Vyaghra Gumpha: It is a famous cave in Udayagiri.The cave is in broken condition now.at the entry point to the cave there is a largemouth of a tiger as the opening. The inscriptions in the cave give us an idea about the city judge Subhuti.
Jambesvara Gumpha: The inscription inside the cave gives an idea about the wife of Mahamade, Nayaki.
Sarpa Gumpha: Sarpa means snake which signifies the cave was said for the snake. It was a small cave.
Hati Gumpha: Inscriptions of Kharabela are found in this cave. It was an essential source for knowing history. The cave has a massive craving for elephants. The inscriptions of the cave start with Jain Namokar mantra respect to Arihant and Siddhas for Jainism. The inscriptions contain seventeen lines written in Brahmi letters. As per the legends, Kharavela brought the Jain image. The image was taken away by the Nanda Empire.
Khandagiri hills are situated on the left side. The hill has around 15 caves which were renovated by Uddyotkehari of Samavanshi dynasty.
Totowa Gumpha: Images of parrots are found at the entry point to the cave. Inside the cave sculptures of the railing, arch with kalasa is found. The cave is decorated with different sculpture-like different animals, birds, plasters of various designs.
Ananta Gumpha: It contains the sculptures of geese, elephant, and women.
Navamuni Gumpha: The cave has figures of nine Jain Tirthankaras and Sasana devis. Somavanshi kings make these sculptures during the 11th century.
Barabhuji Gumpha: The cave has figures of twenty-five Tirthankara on its wall. Chakareswari is represented with 12 arms, so the cave is named after that.
Trusula Gumpha: Rishabha devas Kayotsarga posture is found inside the cave. Image of 24 Jin tirthankar also there in the cave.
Lalatendu Keshari Gumpha: 2 images of Rishabhanath and three models of Parshvanath as found in the cave.
One can visit the caves and the hills any day in the week from 8 in the morning to 5 in the evening. The entry fee is 15 INR per head for Indians. And it is 200 INR per head for foreigners.
Khandagiri and Udayagiri is well connected with the capital city Bhubaneswar. Bus Services is readily available from Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Cuttack. OSRTDC is one such service. Even hiring cabs is a good option. The nearest station is Bhubaneswar Railway Station at a distance of 6 km. Biju Patnaik International Aiport is the nearest airport which is 10 km away. It can connect to Khandagiri and Udayagiri by roadways.