Rani Gumpha at Udaygiri is in the middle terrace of the eastern slope of Udayagiri Hillock. The cave is dated back to 1st century B.C. The cave is belongs to Kharavela of Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty, the Emperor of Kalinga. It is believed that the cave was occupied by the queen of Lalatendu Kesari.
It is a double storeyed rock-cut cave rectangular in plan covering three sides of a quadrangle, the forth on the south-eastern side is open. The upper storey is not immediately above the lower one but recedes a few meters away into the rocky mass.
The lower storey has 3 component, consists of two wing and the main wing, where the right and left wings meet the main wing are two small guard rooms. The upper storey also has same component except the guard room.
The entrance arches are relieved with flowers, honey-suckle lotus and creepers of various designs. In the triangular portions above these arches are variously srivatsa, nandipada, snake and lotus- all auspicious Jaina symbols.
The facade of the cells are carved with sculptural friezes like women rescuing scene from wild elephant, deer, hunting scene, female dancing scene, couple offering flowers, royal procession, and the unique guard / door keeper of Greek style ornamentation adorned the cave.
It is a double storeyed rock-cut cave rectangular in plan covering three sides of a quadrangle, the forth on the south-eastern side is open. The upper storey is not immediately above the lower one but recedes a few meters away into the rocky mass.
The lower storey has 3 component, consists of two wing and the main wing, where the right and left wings meet the main wing are two small guard rooms. The upper storey also has same component except the guard room.
The entrance arches are relieved with flowers, honey-suckle lotus and creepers of various designs. In the triangular portions above these arches are variously srivatsa, nandipada, snake and lotus- all auspicious Jaina symbols.
The facade of the cells are carved with sculptural friezes like women rescuing scene from wild elephant, deer, hunting scene, female dancing scene, couple offering flowers, royal procession, and the unique guard / door keeper of Greek style ornamentation adorned the cave.
33 comments:
Beautiful photos!
Greetings, RW & SK
Wow, so much history wrapped in these caves. Wonderful photos.
I'm used to seeing the Hindu temples, not the Jain. This is wonderful and different. Thank you.
Such beauty in those old structures, very ornate~
That is definitely old and fascinating information shared. I can't imagine living In a stone home such as this.
That's incredible that it's still standing. Great shots!
Amazing to see the rock cut cave from more than 2000 years ago !
Beautiful! reminds me of Badami
Amazing! This is an awesome place to visit :)
Thanks for sharing!
Great pictures / beautiful collages :)
Wow...what a magnificent sight! Wonderful photos..
It's incredibel how old this cave is. The beautiful friezes look amazingly well preserved.
The carvings in stone are always so amazing to me.
Beautiful! Looking at the thumb nail picture, for a sec I thought it looked like Mahabalipuram rock caves!
Again, an incredible place.
Always, I am impressed and humbled by the time and effort that went into creating this structure.
Great place indeed to visit!
How beautiful Rajesh!
Spectacular caves!
Beautiful place :)
Nice pictures, wonderful cave, a wonderful place!
beautiful and impressive!
They are incredible cave dwellings. I don't think I have ever seen such ornate ones before.
This looks like a fascinating place to visit. Your first photo shows how impressive the cave is.
Amazed how creative the people were!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Totally incredible.
It is so difficult to imagine how people lived thousands of years ago!
Thank you for your post.
Wil, ABCW Team.
Can you imagine living in a lace like this. It is another amazing piece of India’s history. This one was a fascinating post.
beautiful place. never heard of it before.
Nice post. Those are some wonderful carvings.
Awesome shots.
Beautiful sculpture.
wow, incredible heritage marvel.
Awesome Shots. Nice place . Thanks for sharing
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