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.
Udayagiri holds around 18 numbered caves, the most notable being Rani Gumpha (Queen's Cave), a two-storeyed complex with carved friezes depicting courtly and battle scenes, and Hathigumpha, which bears Kharavela's inscribed record of his reign.
Unlike Khandagiri opposite, Udayagiri is purely archaeological — a maintained heritage site rather than an active place of worship — and is usually covered in under an hour with a guide.
Why visit
- Rani Gumpha's carved two-storey monastic quarters
- Hathigumpha inscription recording King Kharavela's reign
- Best-preserved rock-cut cave complex in Odisha
- Directly paired with Khandagiri across the road
Things to do
- Tour Rani Gumpha and its carved friezes
- Read the Hathigumpha inscription with a guide
- Walk the full numbered cave circuit
- Combine with Khandagiri opposite
By road
About 7 km from central Bhubaneswar, roughly 20 minutes.
From Bhubaneswar
7 km, about 20 minutes by road.
Gallery
Udayagiri in pictures
Points of interest
Attractions in and around Udayagiri
Plan your journey
Tour packages covering Udayagiri
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 Udayagiri
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 Udayagiri
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
Udayagiri travel questions
Continue exploring
Destinations near Udayagiri
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.
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.
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