Dhauli Travel Essentials
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"The land of Kalinga War"
Dhauli Tourism
Dhauli is a small town 8 Km away south of Bhubaneswar, located on the bank of river Daya and holds great significance for the followers of lord Buddha. Dhauli is said to be the witness of the reform of Ashoka's character.
This is the area which is believed to the land for the Kalinga War in the 3rd century B.C. between the Mauryan Empire led by Great Ashoka and Kalinga kingdom. The war was so intense that it is said that Daya's water had turned red with the bloodshed because of the massacre. This also led to significant change in the beliefs of King Ashoka and he eventually adopted Buddhism. His responses to this war were recorded in forms of Ashoka edicts, which are essentially rock structures with inscriptions on them. Dhauli has several major Ashoka edicts and it is now an important centre for Buddhism in India. Ashoka built several Stupas, Chaityas, Pillars around the town and did his best to create a peaceful society by helping others post war. Dhauli has a beautiful Peace Pagoda which attracts thousands of tourists every year. Besides Buddhists, Hindus also visit Dhauli to visit some of the ancient temples of great reverence situated in this beautiful town. There are also other attractions in Dhauli like rock cut caves, Sadharma vihar monastery, which would definitely make your visit worth the time.
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Things to do in Dhauli
1. Dhauli Shanti Stupa
Shanti stupa is a Buddhist Peace Pagoda and is the main attraction for people who believe in Lord Buddha or appreciate detailed artworks or carvings. This is a big white building covered with the dome (Read More) on top and beautified with intricate carvings on it.
2. Ashoka Rock Edicts
These are the edicts by The king Ashoka on a mass of rock. In sixth edict there is expression of King Ashoka about the welfare of the world. Besides the rock edicts is a rock- cut of the front view of (Read More) the elephant displaying fine sense of dedication by the artist.
3. Dhabaleswar and Bahirangeswar temple
This temple with its historical and holy significance is one of the main tourist spots for the people believing in lord Shiva. The temple with a serene ambiance, is ancient and has been renovated to m (Read More)ake it look more beautiful.
4. Ashoka Pillar
Nestled in a quiet enclave near the prominent Rock Edicts of Dhauli, there stands a pillar of significance, bearing structural resemblance to the renowned Lion Capital of Ashoka, which later became In (Read More)dia's national emblem. This pillar serves as a poignant reminder of the historical Battle of Kalinga, with monuments from that era dotting the surrounding landscape. Although the Lion Pillar at Dhauli may not boast extensive archaeological value, its presence adds a touch of antiquity and grandeur, invoking memories of Emperor Ashoka's reign. Adjacent to this historical pillar, visitors can explore a Buddhist temple and monastery, further enriching the cultural and spiritual ambiance of the area.
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Dhauli Light and Sound Show
The 35 minutes light show describes the events of Kalinga War, which was fought on the grounds of Dhauligiri Hill. The place is an evidence of Historical Kalinga War and also has Ashoka Edicts. The sound show exemplifies the whole history of the Kalinga war and transformation of King Ashoka from Chandsoka to Dharmasoka. Adults are charged INR 25 per person and students INR 10 per person. The show timings are between 7:45 PM to 8:20 PM with no shows being hosted on Mondays. Beautiful paintings and 3D projections are all that you can expect.
Dhauli Giri Hills
Located at a distance of 8 kms from Bhubaneshwar, Dhauli Giri hills are a major tourist attraction and one of the most popular Buddhist pilgrimage centres. The hills are situated on the banks of river Daya and are surrounded by alluring paddy fields. The spot is famous for the Kalinga War and the transformation of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. It is believed that after witnessing the massacre and the devastating bloodshed, Ashoka chose to follow a path of empathy and compassion. His renunciation is visible on a rock at the foot of the hills, popularly known as Ashokan Rock Edicts. On the top of the rocks is a chiselled sculpture of an elephant, which is a symbol of Lord Buddha. This marks the conversion of Ashoka to renounce war and follow the path of Buddhism. On the top of the hill is also a mesmerising structure called the Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa. Built in 1972, it is one of the earliest rock-cut sculptures of India. It is a spherical domed shaped white building, with five protrusions which signify the important aspects of Buddhism. It has several stone panels with depictions of Ashoka renouncing war, Lord Buddha, Bodhi tree, elephants etc. Other added attractions of Dhauli Giri hills include Dhavaleswar temple, a 3rd-century Buddhist monastery, rock-cut caves and numerous Hindu temples.
Restaurants and Local Food in Dhauli
People here usually eat Rice and Fish curry, Macha jolo and after that Roshogulla, rasabali and other sweets are savoured. Other than this, street chaat like Gupchup, Dahi bada- aaloo dum, bara ghuguni are easily available around the city. Dahi pakhal are eaten with saga or badi during April and June to cool down the body temperature.
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Suggested Itinerary for Dhauli
Start your trip by visiting Shanti Stupa on the top of Dhaulagiri hill. Proceed to visit Bhringesvara Siva Temple on your way back. Post lunch, you can go enjoy a relaxed evening at Nandankanan National Park. End your trip by a tiny temple tour of Bhaskaresvar Temple.
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How to Reach Dhauli
How to Reach Overview
Bhubaneswar Airport connects almost every state of India making your travel by air easy. Also, there is a good railway connectivity to Bhubaneswar whereby, taking buses or cab further will help your reach Dhauli. Easy travelling by roadways is also possible with inter-state buses.
How to reach Dhauli by flight
Nearest Airport to Dhauli is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. Step down the airport and get a cab to your hotel. The distance between the Airport and Dhauli is 14 km hence it will take 30 minutes despite the normal traffic for you to reach your destination.
How to reach Dhauli by road
Dhauli can be reached by buses from nearby cities like Bhubaneswar or Cuttack, and OSRTDC has frequent bus services as well which connects Dhauli to all the main parts of Odisha. Dhauli is well connected with an excellent road network, and cabs are available from all nearby places.
How to reach Dhauli by train
Bhubaneswar Railway Station is the nearest railway station with a distance of 35 km to Dhauli. Get a taxi or bus to reach your destination.
Local transport in Dhauli
The town has convenient transportation options as it is one of the locations with large amount of tourist coming each day and also being close to a big city Bhubaneswar. There are easy bus services available to commute to nearby cities as well. Apart from these, a lot of areas in Dhauligiri Hill could be explored on foot as well.
Dhauli Photos
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FAQs on Dhauli
What is famous about Dhauli?
The place will give you a mesmerising experience if visited in winters. Also, there is no restriction to photography in the Shanti Stupa.
What is not so good about Dhauli?
In summers the weather gets too hot for you to enjoy the essence of the place. Also, there is limited public transport available to the hilltop.
Who should visit Dhauli?
Dhauli is a must visit place for the followers of Buddhism, though Hindus also visit this place for some of the ancient temples situated here. It is a great place for architecture lovers and researchers who can delve into the past here. It is a good place for a family vacation.
What is the best time to visit Dhauli?
Dhauli experiences tropical kind of climate and has scorching summers, humid monsoons with moderate rainfall and chilly winters. This makes winter time i.e.November-March the best visit Dhauli.
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What is the local food in Dhauli?
People here usually eat Rice and Fish curry, Macha jolo and after that Roshogulla, rasabali and other sweets are savoured. Other than this, street chaat like Gupchup, Dahi bada- aaloo dum, bara ghuguni are easily available around the city. Dahi pakhal are eaten with saga or badi during April and June to cool down the body temperature.
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What is the best way to reach Dhauli?
Bhubaneswar Airport connects almost every state of India making your travel by air easy. Also, there is a good railway connectivity to Bhubaneswar whereby, taking buses or cab further will help your reach Dhauli. Easy travelling by roadways is also possible with inter-state buses.
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What are the places near Dhauli?
The top places near to Dhauli are Bhubaneswar which is 12 km from Dhauli, Puri which is located 41 km from Dhauli, Cuttack which is located 30 km from Dhauli, Konark which is located 41 km from Dhauli, Gopalpur which is located 144 km from Dhauli
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Dhauli Reviews
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Shreyas Kapoor
6 years ago
- There is no need to plan a whole day to visit Dhauli. Maximum 3 to 4 hours will be sufficient to explore Dhauli completely.