Brick Monastery, Udayagiri

At Udayagiri, the Buddhist site in Orissa, ASI have excavated many interesting structures that were created any time between 7th and 12th century. One such excavation has brought to light the remains of a huge monastic complex comprising a Mahastupa and an east facing square monastery.

This monastery has the mountains as its backdrop giving it a majestic look. The monastery measures about 35 M sq. and had 21 cells.

At the back-end of the courtyard, in the sanctum there is a huge 12 feet statue of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra. On his either side are Vajrapani and Padmapani.

The door frame to the sanctum is beautifully carved. The detailing with flying apsaras, pupil climbing vines, elephants are simply beautiful. The eyes, nose and lips of a miniature human forms are crafted with at most care.

Images of India - 125

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

A sculpture on the bracket of a pillar at Rani Gumpha in Ugaygiri Jain heritage site

Alakapuri Gumpha, Udaygiri

Alkapuri Gumpha located on Udayagiri hill of Orissa belongs to 1st century B.C. It was built by Emperor Kharavela. It is a two storeyed cave, the lower cells are badly damaged and while the upper cells can be approached by a flight of steps. The major portion of the pillars of the benched veranda is of modern construction.

The cave is devoid of sculptural friezes except the pillar and pilaster. The pillars are based over a three stepped pedestal and square at the base and at the top and octagonal at the center. 

The existing bracket of the pillar in the interior side is designed with lion, a royal elephant flanked by two other elephant one holding umbrella and the other a fly whisk. The central pillar is designed with a enigmatic winged animal.

The pilaster on the left side of the cave is relived with a scene of a male holding a female in his one hand and a elephant tusk in other hand.

Apsidal Structure, Udaygiri

Udayagiri hill 6 kms away from Bhubaneshwar in Orissa is home several caves and monasteries used by Jain monks at the period Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty during 1st century B.C.

A path to the top of the Udayagiri Hill to the right of Ganesh Gumpha leads to an open area. Here one can see remains of an apsidal structure within which towards the apse-end is a circular wall that was unearthed in 1958 by ASI. This could have been Chaitya hall a place of worship by the monks built using laterite stones.

From here one can see Bhubaneshwar Airport at a distance. Also one can see the Lingaraj Temple across the airport.

Mahastupa, Udaygiri

At Udaygiri, the Buddhiist heritage site, one can find the Mahastupa in the foot hiil of Assia hill range. As per the inscriptions found in the Stupa this belongs to a period of Somvasi rule between 9th and 10th century AD.

The stupa made of bricks and and Khandolite stone. The stupa is square on plan and measures 10m x 10m x 10m in area. The drum of the stupa had a wide horizontal band of moldings and several bands obtained by insets and offsets of bricks.

The stupa is devoid of ornamentation except the four pillared inset niches that are enshrined with about 1.5 meters high seated stone image of Dhyni-Buddha. 

They are: Aksova in east, Ratnasambhava in the south, Amitava in the west and Amogasiddhi in the northern side.

Images of India - 62

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

Caves at Ugaygiri Jain heritage site

Patalapuri Gumpha, Udaygiri

Patalapuri Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill in Orissa. This is of the period Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty during 1st century B.C.

Rock cut cave consists of four dwelling cells, two at the back and one on either side of the benched veranda. The veranda originally provided with two pilasters and three pillars.

The cave is devoid of sculptural embellishments except the traces of a man on the bracket fighting with a lion and two winged lion on the top of a pillar on its square base.

Jaya Vijaya Gumpha, Udaygiri

Jaya Vijaya Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill in Orissa. This is of the period Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty during 1st century B.C.

This is a double storeyed rock cut cave having pillared veranda in the upper floor where as the lower floor is without pillars. In the past this cave was used by Jain monks.

The caves are devoid of any sculptural friezes. At the entrance of  the upper cave is sculptures of door keepers.

Udayagiri, the Buddhist Heritage

Udayagiri is an important part of Buddhist Circuit in Orissa comprising of 2 more places Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri. This place has been dated back to 1st to 13th centuries AD.  

Numerous excavations by the A.S.I. have been conducted since 1958, and it continues to this day. They've been undertaken in two phases across two settlements around 200 meters apart. Places of interest here are:

• Maha Stupa
• Brick monastery
• Stone well
• Buddhist sculptures

This place is 20 km far from the north-east of Cuttack. It is about 10 km interior from the 5A National Highway, and just 5 km away from Ratnagiri. We reached this place vaery late in the evening. We are thankful to person in-charge there who allowed us to explore even though it was closing time.

Rani Gumpha, Udaygiri

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. 

Ganesha Gumpha, Udayagiri

Ganesha Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill in Orissa. This cave is of the period Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty during 1st century B.C.

The cave consists of two dwelling cells with low ceilings and a benched verandah in front. In the front of the cave on the approach path on either side there are two detached elephants, each holding branches of mango tree over a lotus.

This cave is known by this name as there is a carving of Lord Ganesha in the interior on the back of its left cell. This image has been dated to 9th  10th century A.D.

On the same back wall of the cave there is a and 5 line script of the 8th - 9th centurty A.D of a physician Bhimata. In the right cell there is a has a crude carving of a Tirthankara of the later period. 

On the outer wall of the cells next to entrance there are decorative carvings with lot to tell. One such carving can be seen here. From left to right the friezes depict woman serving a male, woman leading a man, fight between a man and a woman and the man carrying off the vanquished woman. 

Even the entry to the cell is beautifully carved.

Bagha Gumpha, Udaygiri

Bagha Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill in Orissa. This is of the period Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty during 1st century B.C.

This is on upper right side of the Hatigumpha. A single cell hewn out of a large natural sandstoneboulder with open veranda in the front. Its facade resembles the face of tiger. Hence the name "Bagha".

The exterior of the cell is decorated with sculptural motif on the lintel.

A two line of Brahmi Inscription is noticed in the facade of the cell.  

Chotahati Gumpha, Udaygiri

Chotahati Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill near Bhubaneswar. This natural cave is of the period 1st century B.C. when Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty ruled the place.

This is a small cave of sandstone with a low ceiling. The facade of the cave has remarkable carvings on it. 

The facade is decorated with plants, floral motifs, elephant figures, pilaster crowning with winged animal. 

Hati Gumpha, Udaygiri

Hati Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill near Bhubaneswar. This natural cave is of the period 1st century B.C. when Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty ruled the place.

This is a large natural cavern of an irregular shape, enlarged by humans for shelter. From the engravings in this cave is a prehistoric rock art shelter.

On the brow of the rock above the cavern is the inscription of King Kharavela. There are total 17 lines of Brahmi inscription in Prakrit language. 

In 1902, in order to protect the inscription from the effect of weather, Archaeological Survey of India has built a masonry-shed over it. 

Sarpa Gumpha, Udaygiri

Sarpa Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill in Orissa. This is of the period Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty during 1st century B.C.

This is on detached boulder adjacent to west of the Hatigumpha. Here there are two tiny caves, the upper one, called Sarpa Gumpha I and the bellow one is Sarpa Gumpha II hewed out of sandstone natural rock.

The caves are devoid of any sculptural friezes. The facet of the upper cave is carved with a three hooded snake. On the lintel of the entrance there is evidence of Brahmi inscription. 

Udaygiri, the Jain Heritage

On the outskirts of Bhubaneswar there are two twin hills and one of them is Udayagiri. 



Here there are large number of natural as well as artificial caves that were constructed from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD.

It is believed that history of the place dates back to the times of Bhagawan Adinatha. During this period the place belonged to the Kalinga region and many brave and strong Jain Kings ruled here. Some of the cave temples were stated at the time of Lord Mahavira and others in the time of emperor Kharvel Ist Century BC and later. 



The prominent sites are:

• Alkapuri Gumpha
• Bagha Gumpha
• Jai Vijay Gumpha
• Rani Gumpha
• Ganesh Gumpha
• Swarg Gumpha
• Sarpa Gumpha
• Chota Hati Gumpha
• Hati Gumpha
• Lilita Kunda
• Apsidal Structure
• Ptalapuri Gumpha

The ancient idols in these caves stand as a unique example of its kind. We shall soon explore more of this place. 

Varaha Cave, Udaygiri

In Udaygiri of Madhya Pradesh the most important site is Varaha Cave. This is a early 5th century AD cave belonging to the Gupta period. More than cave this is a shallow niche.



Here one can see Lord Vishnu in Boar-headed incarnation, the Varaha. The relief depicts Varaha rescuing the Earth Goddess from the engulfing Ocean. Large Varaha which is 4 meter in height lifts Bhu Devi on his massive shoulder, while with his foot he subduing a naga who folds his hands in submission. There are also Gods and sages surround Varaha. Above his head there is also a circular lotus flower.



Just to get an idea of how big the relief work is see the below image.

This sculptural work can also seen from the road, even before entering the site.

Udaygiri Triology

There are three different places by the name of Udaygiri in India as far as my understanding. All the three are famous heritage sites known for the caves in these locations. If one of them is in Madhya Pradesh state, and the other two are in Orissa state.



In Orissa Udaygiri, Jain Heritage site is very close to the state capital Bhunaneshwar. If one travels mere 6 kms one can witness this magnificent caves inhabited by Jain monks in the 2nd century BCE. There are several caves here of different sizes and some of them have unique carvings in them.

Second Udaygiri, Buddist Heritage site in Orissa is approximately 90 kms away from state capital Bhunaneshwar. Here in the forest region one can see excavated Stupas and layout of various centers that existed in between 7th and 12th century.

The Udaygiri, Hindu Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh is very close to World Heritage site Saanchi. Here in 4th to 5th century caves, we can see several forms of the Lord, the most famous being Varaha Avatar.