Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

Current Context : The President of India recently visited Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves in Bhubaneswar.

ABOUT UDAYAGIRI AND KHANDAGIRI CAVES

• Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, formerly called Kattaka Caves or Cuttack caves.
• They are built on the Kumari mountain range and are the earliest examples of rock-cut cave tradition in Odisha.
• Udayagiri cave is also knowns as the hill of the rising sun.
• They were built around 2nd century BC by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty for Jain monks.
• There are 18 caves in Udayagiri and 15 in Khandagiri.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has listed that Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in the list of “Must See” Indian Heritage.
• The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are listed as one of the Adarsh Smarak Monument by ASI.