Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
Udaigiri Khandagiri Caves
Modelled by the great Jain king Kharavela, who ruled from 168 to 153 B.C.,
these coarse grained sandstone caves were meant as dwellings for Jain monks.
Udayagiri (Hill of the Sunrise) and Khandagiri (Broken Hill), which rise 40
meter above the lateritic and parched plain surroundings, are just steeping
compartments with low roof, ratifying the austerity and sobriety of the monks.
Located at 6 km from Bhubaneswar, these 113 caves were built around 2nd
century B.C. Archaeologically significant, because of the Pali records engraved
in the Hathi Gumpha, these caves display the 13 year megalithic record of king
Kharavela.
Major Tourist Attractions
Udayagiri Caves
To the south of the hill, the Udayagiri caves are situated in a very compact
area and are numbered. At the base of the hill to the right, is the
double-storey "Rani ka Naur" or Queen's Palace. Both levels have 8 entrances
with beautiful carved sculptures on pillars, arches and to the rear of the
courtyard, depicting rampaging elephants, petrified monkeys, sword fights and
women. Circle round the hill to the right to the Ganesh Gumpha -10, which is
directly above the Rani ka Naur, depicting the elephant-headed Ganesh on the
rear wall of the cell. retrace your steps to cave 14 then on to Pavana Gumpha
(Cave of Purification) and the small Sarpa Gumpha ( Serpent Cave), the tiny door
to which is surmounted by a three-headed cobra.
The exit is channeled via the Chhota Hathi gumpha -3, with carvings of
elephants coming out from behind a tree. Back at the entrance ascend the hill to
the Swargapuri -9 and Hathi Gumpha -14. The latter holds an inscription in 117
lines, the exploits of its builder, king Kharavela together with sculptures
showing lion holding its prey, elephants with snakes wrapped around them and
pillars topped by pairs of bizarre winged animals.
Khandagiri Caves
A shortcut from the Hathi Gumpha takes you to cave -17. To the right is
Ananta caves -3 with carved figures of athletes, women, elephants and a snake
carved at the top of the entrance, definitely awe generating site. To the left
are cave 1 (Parrot cave) and cave 2. As the name suggests, the former has
carvings of birds on doorway arches and the latter has some ancient Brahmi
script engraved on its walls. The steep path continues to the hill top where
there is a 18th century Jain temple. The Khandagiri hill provides an enthralling
view of Bhubaneswar from its summit.
