The story of the powerful and ambitious emperor, Ashoka, who was so moved by the ravages of war that he renounced violence in favour of spiritual peace of Buddhism, has been narrated time and again. However, the actual place where the transformation of this great king took place is not known to a number of people. This place is the area around Dhauli, a small village 8 km from Bhubaneswar in Orissa, India.
The gruesome battle of Kalinga was fought in the area around Dhauli and today, it is one of the most visited Buddhist sites in India. A large number of people make a beeline to explore the monuments of Dhauli which occupy two short ranges of low hill running parallel to each other in close proximity of the village.
The Edicts of Ashoka
The prime Buddhist attraction of Dhauli are the rock edicts of the Indian emperor Ashoka. These rock edicts are on the northern face of the southern range and primarily carry instructions for local administrators to rule with gentleness and justice. The inscription on the edicts read :
'...these are my instructions to you. You are in charge of many thousands of living beings. You should gain the affection of men. All men are my children, and as I desire for my children that they should obtain welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, the same do I desire for all men...'
Immediately above the inscription is a terrace, on the right side of which is a forepart of an elephant. This forepart has been sculpted out of a solid rock and is widely believed to be one of the oldest carvings in India. In Buddhism, elephants are quiet often, linked with the Buddha, either as a form in which He enetered His mother’s womb or as the sacred symbol of Buddhism itself. The sculpture of elephant, here therefore, is an object of venration. This elephant sculpture also aids in drawing tourists attention to the inscription itself.
The Shanti Stupa
When the Shanti Stupa in Rajgir was inaugurated, a suggestion to build a similar stupa in Dhauli came up. The suggestion was taken up and the construction of the stupa in Dhauli commenced in 1971 under the supervision of Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha. The Sangha was spreaheaded by Guruji Fujii, Founder President of Nipponzan Myohoji of Japan. The Shanti stupa or the Peace Pagoda, located atop the hill, consists of statues of the Buddha and sculpted scenes from His life. Today, the stupa is hugely popular with the tourists, so much so that it quiet often surpasses the popularity of the Ashokan Rock edicts. From here, tourists can also enjoy marvellous views of the Daya river winding its way through the paddy fields.
Saddharma Vihar, Rock Cut Caves and Temple od Dhavalesvara
Along with the Shanti Stupa, a monastery by the name of Saddharma Vihar also attracts tourists in large number. There are some small rock cut caves and a Hindu temple, Dhavalesvara, dedicated to Lord Shiva are additional attractions.
Location & Accessibility
Dhauli is a small village located on the banks of river Daya in the east Indian state of Orissa. To reach Dhauli, you need to reach Bhubaneswar first. Bhubaneswar has an airport which is connected to a number of major cities in India apart from the four metroes– Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. The Bhubaneswar Railway Junction is also linked to all major destinations in the country. For example, it is linked with Kolkata by Coromandal Express, to Delhi by Neelachal and Puri Express and to Mumbai by Konark Express. Bhubaneswar is also accessible by road. From Kolkata, NH 6 and then NH 5 leads to Bhubaneswar. The city is also connected to other major destinations in the state by ST buses.
From Bhubaneswar, you need to take a bus, auto rickshaw or a taxi to reach Dhauli.
Best Time To Visit
Being so close to Bhubaneswar, the climate of Dhauli is pretty same as the capital city. October to March is the best time to pay a visit.
