Udayagiri And Khandagiri Caves (Bhubaneswar) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are ancient, partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance located near Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India. These caves were primarily retreats for Jain ascetics and are believed to have been carved out during the reign of King Kharavela and subsequent rulers during the 2nd century BCE.

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are situated on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and are easily reachable by road. They are about 6 kilometers west of the city center. Visitors can hire taxis, auto-rickshaws, or avail local bus services from different parts of Bhubaneswar to reach the caves.

The caves are of great historical and religious significance. They were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks during the reign of the Jaina king, Kharavela, and later rulers. The caves have inscriptions that provide insights into the social, political, and cultural life during that period. They are also important from an architectural point of view, representing the early development of rock-cut architecture in India.