Central Odisha
Dhauli
The site of the Kalinga War and Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, marked today by a white Japanese-built Shanti Stupa.
Dhauli is where the Kalinga War of 261 BCE is traditionally said to have ended, prompting Ashoka's turn to Buddhism; his rock-cut edicts, carved directly into the hillside, survive at the base of the hill. The Shanti Stupa above was added in 1972 by Japanese Buddhist monks as a peace memorial.
It is a short, focused visit rather than a full day out, usually combined with Bhubaneswar's temple circuit or the drive toward Puri.
Why visit
- Ashokan rock edicts, among the earliest surviving Indian inscriptions
- Shanti Stupa with views over the Daya river plain
- Compact site combining ancient history and a modern peace monument
- Easy stop on the Bhubaneswar–Puri road
Things to do
- Read the Ashokan edicts at the base of the hill
- Climb to the Shanti Stupa
- View the Daya river plain from the hilltop
- Combine with a Bhubaneswar temple circuit
By road
About 8 km from Bhubaneswar city centre, roughly 20 minutes; en route toward Puri.
From Bhubaneswar
8 km, about 20 minutes by road.
From Puri
Around 55 km, roughly 1.25 hours, since Dhauli lies just off the Bhubaneswar–Puri road.
Gallery
Dhauli in pictures
Points of interest
Attractions in and around Dhauli
Plan your journey
Tour packages covering Dhauli
2 Days / 1 Nightheritage · culture
Bhubaneswar Heritage Tour
Bhubaneswar
- Lingaraj Temple exterior and Old Town walk
- Mukteshwar and Rajarani temples
- Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves
value itineraryView itinerary
7 Days / 6 Nightspilgrimage · heritage · culture
Odisha Temple Circuit
Bhubaneswar — Puri — Konark — Berhampur
- Lingaraj, Mukteshwar, Rajarani and Brahmeswar temples
- Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves and Dhauli edicts
- Konark Sun Temple in depth
comfort itineraryView itinerary
6 Days / 5 Nightsheritage · culture · pilgrimage
Odisha Temple & Culture Circuit
Bhubaneswar — Cuttack — Puri — Konark — Raghurajpur — Pipili
- Chronological Kalinga temple walk through the Bhubaneswar old town
- Udayagiri and Khandagiri Jain rock-cut caves
- Dhauli's Ashokan rock edicts and Shanti Stupa
comfort itineraryView itinerary
Cabs & transport
Cabs and transport for Dhauli
Bhubaneswar Local Sightseeing Cab
Sedan or SUV with chauffeur
- Capacity
- 3 – 6 passengers
- Luggage
- 1 – 2 bags for a day out
Subject to availability. Vehicle category is confirmed in writing at the time of booking.
Bhubaneswar to Puri Cab
Sedan or SUV with chauffeur
- Capacity
- 3 – 6 passengers
- Luggage
- 2 – 4 large bags
Subject to availability. Vehicle category is confirmed in writing at the time of booking.
Read before you go
Travel guides for Dhauli
Destinations · 8 min read
Bhubaneswar Travel Guide: The Temple City
Bhubaneswar, Odisha's capital, holds one of India's densest concentrations of surviving temples, headlined by the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple.
Culture · 8 min read
Odisha Temple Guide: Etiquette, Circuits and Key Sites
Odisha's temple circuit centres on the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and the Sun Temple at Konark, and visitors should know that non-Hindus are not permitted inside the two active temples.
FAQs
Dhauli travel questions
Continue exploring
Destinations near Dhauli
Central Odisha
Bhubaneswar
The Temple City and state capital — the densest surviving concentration of Kalinga temple architecture in India, plus the region's main air and rail gateway.
Explore
Central Odisha
Cuttack
Odisha's former capital and silver-filigree city, set on an island between the Mahanadi and Kathjodi rivers.
ExploreCoastal Odisha
Puri
Jagannath Dham — one of India's four cardinal Hindu pilgrimage seats, anchored by a working fishing-town beach.
ExploreCentral Odisha
Raghurajpur
A heritage crafts village where nearly every household practises Pattachitra painting, palm-leaf engraving or mask-making.
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