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Location:  Khandgiri Udaygiri hills are at a distance of 6 Kilometers from Bhuvaneshvar, Orissa. The nearest railway station is  Bhuvaneshvar at a distance of 6 kilometers. The Khandgiri hill is about 40 meters high and the Udaygirihill is about 35 meters high.  Khandagiri means "broken hill" and Udayagiri means "hill of the sunrise." On the summit of Khandagiri hill stands the 19th century "Parsvnath" temple. A white colored idol of Bhagawan Adishvar in the Padmasana posture is the main attraction of the temple at the top of Khandgiri hill. Shri Khandigiri - Udaygiri is a Jain Digambar Siddhakshetra  and a very ancient and scared jain pilgrimage.
 

There are total 113 Caves on these hills. It has archaeological significance. It is nearly 2300 years old. A number of inscriptions and artistic idols carved in the caves here are very fascinating and spectacular. The inscription of the Elephant Cave here is regarded to the be oldest of all inscriptions. Some of the cave temples are stated to be from the time of Lord Mahavira and others from the time of emperor Kharvel Ist Century BC. The other caves are believed to be of 10^th Century. The famous caves and cave temples  'Alkapuri' Jaivijay; Rani cave, Ganesh Gufa; Swarg Gufa, Patal Gufa are worth seeing.

At the base of the hill, to the right, are the two storied "Rani Gupha or Queens Place" cave. This is the largest and most impressive cave on the lower story. Carvings of snakes and the lotus, are some of the auspicious Jain symbols that are extensively used here. Around the hill to the right, there is  the single storied "Ganesh Gupha" which is almost directly above Rani "Gupha". Above this carving is a structure whose planing is very similar to that of a Buddhist Chaitya hall. Jain monks used this place for worship. The carving of religious Jain symbols is evident in this cave. Most of these caves were chiseled in these sandstone hills for the Jain monks, who had renounced the world to meditate in peace and quiet and to do austere penance. The Samosavaran of Bhagwan Mahavir was held here and hence it is known as atishay Kshetra. The udaygiri hill is just opposite side to the Khandgiri hill. Rare ancient idols are found in the caves of both the hills.
Trust: Shri Khandigiri - Udaygiri Jain Digambar Siddhakshetra Karyalaya, Khandgiri, Bhuvanashver, Dist. : Puri, State : Orissa, India.

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