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Destination Guide

Airport Taxi to Khandagiri-Udayagiri

Twin hills of 2,000-year-old Jain caves on the edge of the city — ancient carvings, the Kharavela inscription and sweeping views.

Udayagiri caves, Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar
Distance
~7 km from BBI airport
Drive time
~20 minutes
Managed by
ASI · small entry ticket
Ideal for
History & heritage
2,000-year-old rock-cut Jain cavesThe Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela~7 km — a 20-minute drive from the airport

The Khandagiri and Udayagiri Caves are twin hills of rock-cut caves on the edge of Bhubaneswar, carved around the 2nd century BCE as dwellings for Jain monks — among the oldest surviving monuments in the region. Udayagiri’s Rani Gumpha and the Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela are the highlights.

They sit minutes from Lingaraj Temple and Dhauli, so they slot neatly into a half-day Bhubaneswar heritage loop.

What to see on the twin hills

Rani Gumpha (Queen’s Cave)

The largest and most elaborately carved cave on Udayagiri, its two storeys covered in sculpted friezes.

Hathigumpha inscription

The famous rock inscription recording the reign and campaigns of the Kalinga king Kharavela — a key source for ancient Indian history.

Udayagiri’s carved caves

Ganesh Gumpha, Bagha Gumpha (Tiger Cave) and others, carved as retreats for Jain ascetics around the 1st–2nd century BCE.

Khandagiri hilltop

A steeper climb past more caves to a Jain temple at the summit, with panoramic views over Bhubaneswar.

City views

The twin hills face each other across the road and reward the short climb with sweeping views of the temple city.

Part of the temple circuit

The caves sit minutes from Lingaraj and Dhauli, so they slot neatly into a half-day Bhubaneswar heritage loop.

Caves FAQ

Khandagiri-Udayagiri visitor questions

Access, tickets, what to see and combining your day.

How far are the Khandagiri-Udayagiri caves from Bhubaneswar Airport?

The caves are about 7 km from Bhubaneswar Airport, roughly a 20-minute drive, on the western edge of the city.

What will I see at Khandagiri and Udayagiri?

Twin hills of rock-cut caves carved around the 2nd century BCE for Jain monks — the most famous being the ornately carved Rani Gumpha (Queen’s Cave) on Udayagiri and the Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela.

Is there an entry fee and how long does a visit take?

The site is managed by the ASI with a small entry ticket. Allow around an hour to explore both hills; wear comfortable shoes as there are steps and a short climb.

Can I combine the caves with other Bhubaneswar sights?

Yes — the caves pair naturally with the Lingaraj temple circuit and Dhauli on a half-day city tour, with the same cab and driver waiting at each stop.

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