Jain Caves in Bhubaneshwar

The Jain caves are located atop the twin hills known as Udayagiri and Khandagiri in Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa state, India.

These Jain caves, hewn out of rocks, have retained a natural touch in their architecture. The rocks are hewn out in such a way that the weight and the pressure in the sides and interior of the cave are maintained in equilibrium. One can also see a few wall carvings and sculptures here and there inside the caves.

Jainism had been one of the established religions in Kalinga even before the reign of Mauaryans and these caves stand as mute witnesses to this historical fact.

Jainism continued its influence in Bhubaneshwar even as the Saiva Pasupata sect got developed and Buddhism, as a religious institution, began to decline. It becomes clear from the ancient manuscripts that Jainism maintained its hold on these two hills during the reign of King Bhauma Kara and King Somavamsi.