Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves (Oriya: ଉଦୟଗିରି ଓ ଖଣ୍ଡଗିରି ଗୁମ୍ଫା) are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvat in the Hathigumpha inscription. They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves. 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" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves.
The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena or leṇa in the inscriptions, were dug out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jaina ascetics. The most important of this group is Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery.
Read more about Udayagiri And Khandagiri Caves: Count of The Caves, The Famous Caves, List of Caves At Udayagiri, List of Caves At Khandagiri, Tickets, Timing, See Also
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“At eighteen our convictions are hills from which we look; at forty-five they are caves in which we hide.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940)