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Odisha Part 11: Discovering the Jaina Heritage of Odisha at the caves of Udaygiri and Khandgiri

The Hindu and Buddhist history of Odisha , or rather, ancient Kalinga, is rather well known to everyone. Who hasn’t heard of the grand temples of Odisha – Puri, Lingaraj and Konark, or the great war of Kalinga which inspired Ashoka to convert to Buddhism? In contrast, very few know of the Jaina heritage of this region. This is quite a pity, since, just around 7 km from the city, is one of India’s most ancient inscriptions, which throws light on the Jaina heritage of Odisha. This inscription is the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela, in the hills of Udaygiri. Udaygiri and Khandgiri are two hills located opposite each other, and both are testaments to the rich Jaina heritage of Odisha. The caves at Udaygiri are older, while Khandgiri is relatively newer, but has lasted much longer, and continues to be a place of pilgrimage for Jains even today. These hills, from inscriptions and excavations of caves, shrines and rock beds, appear to have been a haven for Jaina monks, right from the ...
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  • Domus India
    • Sculpting Temple Design (August 2018)
    • The Paintings of the Saspol Caves in Ladakh (October 2018)
    • The Demon's Tears - Water and Worship at Lonar (November 2018)
    • Nalknad Palace (February 2019)
    • Jain Heritage in Tamilandu (March 2019)
    • The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple of Alwar (May 2019)
    • Museum in Transit (June-July 2019)
    • Memory, Museums, and the Mahatma (October 2019)
    • Temples of the Yoginis (December 2019)
    • The Wonders of the Konark Museum (February 2020)
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  • Being Woman Magazine, Vol 2 Issue 9, November 2014
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    • Sringeri - 14th April 2015 
    • Gokarna - 24th March 2015
    • Kolkata -10th Feb 2015
    • Tharangambadi - 30th Dec 2014 


  • YES Magazine, published by the Sai Youth of Maharashtra and Goa     
  • The Hindu Traveller, Bangalore
    • On the river at Wayanad -Issue dated 21st July 2013 
    • A Foaming curtain of white - Jog Falls - Issue dated 25th October, 2013
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