Khandagiri And Udayagiri are two popular hills honeycombed with excavated and aesthetic rock-cut caves, essentially meant as the residential blocks for Jain monks during the ruling period of King Kharavela. The meaning of Udayagiri is “Sunrise Hill”; this hill has 18 caves while the Khandagiri hill has 15 caves. These caves are very graceful and have an immensely religious importance for Jain community people as well as for Odisha. These two hills prescribe a unique position in the field of history, religion and rock cut architecture or rock art of this state.
These are in total 33 caves are located, but Ranigumpha and Swargapuri-Manchapuri caves are double storied and very larger in size in comparison to other caves. Ranigumpha (queen’s palace) has the architectural marvel of the entire complex, it’s one of the high class stone art possesses. Most important part of this architecturally browed Hathi gumpha is the famous inscription of king Kharavela engraving. 17 line inscription records the expeditions of king Kharavela including victory of Magadha and retrieval of Jaina cult image taken away by the Nanda king long before.
Each and every caves of Khandagiri And Udayagiri have its own importance, one can able to know the importance of the glorious tourist destination only when he/she can explore these with their own eyes.
By Air: The nearest air port is Bhubaneswar air port.
By Rail: Bhubaneswar is well connected with all other districts and other states of India through rail lines. So it’s easy to reach Bhubaneswar and then Khandagiri And Udayagiri .
By Road: Through road the Bhubaneswar city is connected with Khandagiri And Udayagiri hills.
September to March is the most suitable time to visit Khandagiri And Udayagiri.