Central Odisha
Khandagiri
The smaller, less-visited twin of the Udayagiri caves, with rock-cut Jain monastic cells and a hilltop Jain temple still in use.
Khandagiri sits directly across the road from Udayagiri and shares its 2nd-century BCE origins as monastic quarters for Jain ascetics, but is quieter and less regulated for visits. A functioning Jain temple sits at the hill's summit, giving it an active devotional layer that Udayagiri lacks.
Most visitors cover both hills in a single stop, since together they take no more than two hours and sit within walking distance of each other.
Why visit
- Rock-cut Jain caves dating to the 2nd century BCE
- Active hilltop Jain temple
- Paired easily with the adjacent Udayagiri caves
- Good hilltop views over Bhubaneswar
Things to do
- Climb through the cave complex
- Visit the hilltop Jain temple
- Combine with Udayagiri directly opposite
- Photograph the carved cave facades
By road
About 7 km from central Bhubaneswar, roughly 20 minutes.
From Bhubaneswar
7 km, about 20 minutes by road.
Gallery
Khandagiri in pictures
Points of interest
Attractions in and around Khandagiri
Plan your journey
Tour packages covering Khandagiri
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
7 Days / 6 Nightsphotography · culture · heritage
Odisha Photography Journey
Bhubaneswar — Konark — Puri — Raghurajpur — Chilika — Mangalajodi
- Sunrise at the Konark Sun Temple before tour groups arrive
- Blue-hour temple architecture in the Bhubaneswar old town
- Puri's fishing fleet and morning beach activity
premium itineraryView itinerary
Cabs & transport
Cabs and transport for Khandagiri
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.
Read before you go
Travel guides for Khandagiri
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
Khandagiri travel questions
Continue exploring
Destinations near Khandagiri
Central Odisha
Udayagiri
Odisha's most significant rock-cut cave complex, carved as monastic quarters for Jain monks under King Kharavela around the 2nd century BCE.
ExploreCentral 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
Dhauli
The site of the Kalinga War and Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, marked today by a white Japanese-built Shanti Stupa.
Explore
Central Odisha
Cuttack
Odisha's former capital and silver-filigree city, set on an island between the Mahanadi and Kathjodi rivers.
ExploreSpeak with a specialist
Plan your Odisha journey with Odisha Tour Packages Private Limited
No forms — just message us on WhatsApp or call. Our Bhubaneswar-based team replies with a written, day-by-day itinerary and a clear quotation.
Prefer email? Write to odishatourpackagespvtltd@gmail.com