The visit to this Khandagiri
Jain Caves at Bhubaneswar, Odisha was a part of the “Kalinga and Ottara Desa
Heritage Walk” organized by சோழ மண்டல வரலாற்றுத் தேடல் குழு, between 13th and 18th September 2024. The purpose of this Heritage walk was to see the places,
monuments, etc., which are directly or indirectly connected as proof of
Rajendra Chozha’s victory mentioned in his meikeerthi/title over Kalinga and
Ottara Desa, the present Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The twin hills contain
excavated rock-cut caves called lena in the inscriptions and are essentially
dwelling retreats of the Jaina ascetics. There are altogether 18 caves in
Udaygiri and 15 caves in Khandagiri hill, these caves were excavated by
Kharavela and his successors in the 1st century B.C.E. The activities continued till
the time of Somavamsis of CE 10th -11th century. Most of the caves consist of a
row of cells open either directly to the verandah or to the open spaces in
front. The cells are essentially dormitories, an inference substantiated by a
sloping rise of the floor at the rear end to serve the purpose of a pillow.
In
later periods some of the cells were converted into shrines with minor
alterations, such as increasing the height of the chamber and by the excavation
of the floor to a deeper depth. The doorway of cells has pilasters on either
side with crowing animal figures and arches over them are decorated with
flowers, creepers, and animal motifs. Among all the caves, Rani Gumpha and
Swargapuri Manchapuri caves are double-storeyed. The famous inscription of Kharavela
is found engraved on the brows of the Hathigumpha cave, written in Brahmi
script in 17 lines. It records many of his expeditions including victory over
Magadha and retrieval of the Jaina cult image taken over by the Nanda king. The
depiction of 24 Tirthankaras along with their Sasanadevis in the Barahbhuji
cave, Gajalaxmi, Surya(?), Swastika, and Nandipada symbols in Anant Gumpha in
relief are noteworthy achievements in early Indian art.
Initially, there were a total
of 117 caves, of which only 33 caves can be seen today. Out of these 33 caves,
15 are situated in the Khandagiri Hills while 18 of them are located in the
Udayagiri Hills. These twin groups of caves are located on the two adjacent
hills, which are part of the Kumari Mountain range. The Archaeological Survey
of India (ASI) maintains the caves of the Udayagiri Hills, however, the ones in
the Khandagiri Hills are still not under its purview. These caves are
previously known as Cuttack or Kattaka Caves, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri
caverns were discovered in the 19th Century by Andrew Sterling, a young British
officer.
Apart from caves excavated
during the 2nd century, Kharavela period, there are two Jain Temples
constructed during 20-21st Century.
Caves 1 and 2 are called
Tatowa Gumpha. Both of them feature figures of two dwarapalakas at the entrance,
along with figures of two lions and two bulls. Images of parrots can also be
witnessed just above the arch of the cave.
Tatowa Gumpha
Caves 3 to 6 are known as
Ananta Gumpha, Tentuli Gumpha, Khandagiri Gumpha, and Dhyana Gumpha. Cave 7 is
called Navamuni Gumpha, which features wonderful sculptures of Sasana Devis and
the nine Tirthankaras of Jainism. It is believed that these sculptures were
carved in the 11th Century, during the reign of the Somavamshi Dynasty in
Kalinga.
Navamuni Gumpha
Cave 8, which has images of 25
Jain Tirthankaras on the walls of its cells, is called Bharabhuji Gumpha.
Trusula Gumpha, Ambhika Gumpha, and Lalatendu Keshari Gumpha have been numbered
as caves 9, 10, and 11. No names have been given to caves 12, 13 and 15.
Lalatendu Keshari Gumpha
Cave 14, which is called
Ekadashi Gumpha, is named after two serpents, images of whom have been carved
on the cave entrance. On its wall, striking figures of athletes, children,
women, bulls, lions, and other animals have been depicted.
Ekadashi Gumpha
Ref
1. Archaeological Survey Of India
Website
2. The article on Hathigumpha the
cave no 14, inscriptions and the details are written by K. P. Jayaswal, Esq.,
M.A., Barrister-at-Law, Patna, and Professor R. D. Banerji, M.A., Benares Hindu
University.
3. Display board at the entrance.
LOCATION OF THE CAVES: CLICK HERE
Jain Temple
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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