Udaygiri and Khandagiri two hills near Bhubaneshwar contain unique monuments of ancient India, the
Udayagiri and Khandagiri
caves. These sites are mentioned as the ‘Kumari Parvat’ in the Hathigumpha
inscription. The two cave sites are located about 200 meters apart, facing each
other. Not as famous as Ajanta and Ellora, but these
caves are finely and ornately carved, and were built
from huge residential blocks during the reign of King Kharavela, wherein they served as resting places for Jain
ascetics on their journey to Nirvana. They command unique position in the field
of history, architecture, art and religion. Udayagiri
has 18 caves and Khandagiri has 15 caves. Some of the
caves are natural but it is believed that most were carved out by Jain monks and
they belong to the earliest Jain rock cut temples.
Caves called ‘lena’ in the inscriptions
found in the caves have been scooped out, perhaps over endless full moons. The
openings are like doorways and light can enter throughout the day and keep the
stone floors warm, and moonlight can enter at night and light up the caves. The
caves were home to ascetics who renounced the world to experiment with Nirvana,
using the flow of energy of bodies and minds. Here they were in unison with
nature, in the midst of fragrant flowers, chirping birds, the rustle of leaves,
the warm sun and the cool moon. The caves were also places for monks to meditate
in peace and quiet and to do austere penance; and for scholars who came here in
their quest of truth, peace, eternal salvation and beauty.
The Udayagiri caves are approximately 135
feet high and the Khandagiri caves are 118 feet high,
and date back to 2nd century B.C. The caves are reminiscent of Buddhist and Jain
influences in Odisha. The hills which are honey-combed
with caves, reveal sculptural art centered on the life
and times of Jain ascetics. The caves were built by King Kharavela, the King of Kalinga-
ancient Odisha (circa 209- after 170 BC) in the first
century. Kharavela was subdued by the great Mauryan King Ashoka. Although
inclined towards Jainism, Kharavela was liberal
regarding religious questions.
Mostly excavated near the top of a ledge or boulder, the cells simply
provided dry shelter for meditation and prayer. They have an opening directly
into the verandah or courtyard. There are minimal amenities even for small
comforts: the height is too low for a person to stand erect, and essentially
they were dwelling retreats or just sleeping compartments. Several monks used to
stay in one cell. One striking feature of the cell is a raised floor on the
opposite side of the opening which might have served the purpose of a pillow to
sleep. While the cells are cramped, low scuffed and austerely plain, their
facades are encrusted with inscriptions and sculptures depicting various
objects. The Archaeological Survey of India numbered the caves and all have
individual names based on these objects. Objects include court scenes, birds,
animals, royal processions, hunting expeditions and scenes of daily life. The
inscriptions which are in Brahmi start with the
fundamental mantra of Jainism- the Namokar Mantra.
They then depict the life and deeds of King Kharavela,
“the worshipper of all religious orders and the repairer of all shrines of
Gods”. They also describe the patrons of separate caves. Many people of royal
descent were patrons. As Ashoka took over the
possessions of Kharavela, the previously favored Jain
religion gradually gave way to Buddhism.
Udayagiri
The floor in Udaygiri is laid with leveled
blocks of stone. Eighteen caves can be accessed by a flight of steps. Cave 1 is
Ranigumpha cave or Queen’s cave, a double storey
structure. It is famous for its exceptional acoustic characteristic and is
believed to be used for chants and theatre performances. It also has an image of
Surya riding a chariot. The right wing of the lower storey has a single cell
with three entrances and a pillared verandah. It has been excavated on three
sides of a quadrangle with fine wall friezes. It has some beautiful sculptures,
including two sentries at the entrance. The pilasters to the entrance have fine
wall friezes, animals, toranas (arches) with religious and royal scenes. There is
also a couple standing with folded hands, a female dancer with accompanying
musicians.
The central wing has four cells. Victory march of a king and his
journey are depicted here. There are guard rooms decorated with a spring
cascading down a hill, fruit laden trees, wild animals, monkeys, and sporting
elephants in a lotus pool. The upper storey has six cells, one each in right and
left wing and four in the rear. All four cells have two doorways each with two
pilasters. The toranas here have auspicious Jain
symbols like snakes and lotuses, King Dushyant’s first
meeting with Shakuntala, and dance
performances.
Cave 2 is Bajaghar Gumpha with two massive built columns in front and
additional inner columns. Cave 3 is known as Chota
Hathi Gumpha. There are
masterfully carved six vigorous elephants flanking the entrance. Cave 4 is Alakapuri Gumpha- double storeyed, with a sculpture of a lion holding a prey in its
mouth, and pairs of winged creatures, people, animals
atop the pillars. A bodhi tree has been carved in the
central apartment.
Caves 5, 6, 7 and 8 are known as Jaya-Vijaya Gumpha, Panasa Gumpha, Thakurani Gumpha and Patalpuri Gumpha respectively;
wherein the 5th and 7th caves are double storey. These are adorned with
paintings, carvings of winged animals, etc. Manchapuri
and Swargapuri caves are cave 9, a double storeyed cave with several sculptures and inscriptions.
There are four votaries with folded hands, dressed in long dhotis, scarves and
heavy kundalas (earings).
This cave has a crowned figure believed to be that of Chedi King, Vakradeva.
Cave 10, Ganesha Gumpha, has a Chaitya hall, the
place of worship for monks, two dwelling cells with low ceilings and a verandah
in a famous relief of Ganesha. It also contains a
carving with Jain Tirthankara. Jambesvara Gumpha- cave 11 is a
small one with two plain door-openings and Vyaghra Gumpha –cave
12 is a low cell with two door opening.
Its front is carved in the shape of a tiger’s mouth with a distended upper jaw
full of teeth. It forms the roof of the verandah and the gullet forming the
entrance. Sarpa Gumpha- cave
13 is an unusually small cave with adornment above the entrance. Here the famous
inscription regarding life history of Kharavel is
written in the Magadhi language. Other caves include
Hathi Gumpha, cave 14, Dhanaghara Gumpha-cave 15, Haridasa Gumpha-cave 16, Jagammath Gumpha- cave 17 and
Rosai Gumpha-cave
18.
Khandagiri Caves
The first and second caves are Tatowa Gumpha 1 and 2,
richly decorated caves with two guards at the entrance and also two bulls
and two lions. Parrots are carved above the entrance arch. Cave 3, Ananta Gumpha contains exquisite
sculptures of women, elephants, athletes, and geese carrying flowers. Cave 4 is
Tentuli Gumpha.
Cave 5, i. e. Khandagiri Gumpha is a double
storey, roughly cut cave. Caves 12,13 and 14 have no
names. Caves 6 to 11 have been named as Dhyan Gumpha, Nayamuni Gumpha, Barabhuja Gumpha, Trusula Gumpha,
Ambika Gumpha
and Lalatendukesri Gumpha.
There are reliefs of Jain tirthankars, Mahavira and Parsvanatha on the
rear wall of cave 11. Cave 14 is a simple cell and is known as Ekadasi Gumpha. (PIB Feature.)
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Author:-Kalpana Palkhiwala.
The author is a Freelance Writer.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the
author in this article are her own
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