Udayagiri - Orissa - उदयगिरी

The twin hills of Kumargiri are known as Khandagiri and Udaygiri. The ancient caves of Udaigiri and Khandgiri are considered consecrate as this was the place where Lord Mahavira addressed the people of the area. On these hills are archaeologically significant 113 caves, which are nearly 2300 years old. These rock-cut caves were built for the Jain monks around 1st - 2nd century B.C. The Khandgiri hill is about 40 meters high and the Udaygiri hill is about 35 meters high. At the apex of Khandagiri hill stands the 19th century "Parsvanath" temple. An idol of Bhagawan Adishvar in the Padmasana posture is the main attraction of this temple. The thirteen years lithic record of King Kharavela engraved in Hati Gumpha near Udaigiri is a magnificent specimen of Pali records so far found in India.