Udayagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, formerly called Kattaka Gumpha or Cuttack caves, are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance 3 kms south of the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription.They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during the 1st century BCE. It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela.Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" & has 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves.
The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena or leṇa in the inscriptions, these were taken out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jain ascetics.The most importance of this group was Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery. Other important caves include Hathi Gumpha, Ananta Gumpha, Ganesha Gumpha, Jaya Vijaya Gumpha, Mancapuri Gumpha, Bagha/Byaghra/Vyaghra Gumpha and Sarpa Gumpha.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has listed that Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in the list of "Must See" Indian Heritage.The Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves are listed as one of the Adarsh Smarak Monument by ASI.
The Udayagiri hills are on the right-hand side as the visitor approaches from Bhubaneswar. Compared to Khandagiri,Udayagiri offers more beautiful and better maintained cave shrines. There are 18 caves in Udayagiri:
1. Rani Gumpha "Cave of the Queen"
Rani Gumpha is the largest and most popular cave among the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri.The word Rani means "queen". Although it is not an architectural marvel, it has some ancient beautiful sculptures.
This cave is double storeyed. Each storey has three wings and the central wing is bigger among all the three wings.The lower floor has seven entrances in the middle wing whereas the upper floor has nine columns.The upper portion of the central wing has relief images depicting the victory march of a king. Many of the cells have carved dwara pala images;some of them are disfigured.The area that connects the central wing with right and left wings have some panels where the sculptures of wild animals, fruit-laden trees, human figures, women playing musical instruments, monkeys & playful elephants are found.The pilasters contain the torana (arches) decorated with sculptures of Jain religious importance and royal scenes.
2. Bajaghara Gumpha
Bajaghara Gumpha is very simple and small. It has a stone bed & pillow & it was used as the Jain monks' shelter in ancient times.Apart from the plain rectangular-shaped pillars,there is no other sculpture in this cave.
3. Chota Hathi Gumpha
Chota Hathi Gumpha is small in size. It has six small elephant figures in the facade & a statue of a guardian.
4. Alakapuri Gumpha
Alakapuri Gumpha has a relief sculpture of a lion holding its prey in its mouth.The cave has pillars with winged human figures (divine beings).It is double storeyed.
5. Jaya Vijaya Gumpha
A tree-worship relief from the Jaya Vijaya cave.
Jaya Vijaya Gumpha is double storeyed.The cave has a carving of a female wearing heavy earrings, bands,beautifully decorated hair. On one hand of the carving are a parrot and the other resting on her waist.
6. Panasa Gumpha
Panasa Gumpha is a very small & simple cave without any significant features.
7. Thakurani Gumpha
Thakurani Gumpha is double storied but is very simple in style.It has a few tiny relief sculptures.
8. Patalapuri Gumpha
Patalapuri Gumpha is slightly bigger with a pillared verandah.
9. Mancapuri and Swargapuri GumphaManchapuri cave relief depicting the worship of Kalinga Jina
Mancapuri and Swargapuri Gumpha is double storeyed. Manchapuri cave depicts two male & two female figures worshipping the Kalinga Jina that Kharval brought back from Magadha. It has a damaged Jain religious symbol which was probably used for worship.
There are three inscriptions: one inscription talks about the chief queen of Kharavela, & the other two refer to Kudepasiri, the successor of Kharavela & Badukha, the son or brother of Kudepasiri.
10. Ganesha Gumpha
Ganesha Gumpha is one of the most important caves in Udayagiri.The cave is named for the carved figure of Ganesha on the back of its right cell. Of course, it would have been carved in the later period and it cannot be the original work.The cave has two large statues of elephants carrying garlands at the entrance and is the first example of sculpture animals used as a guard to the entrance.Also,the carved figures of dwara palas are found at the entrances.
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