Dhauli
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A hill near Bhubaneswar on the Daya river, linked by tradition to the Kalinga war, with rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka and a white Peace Pagoda.
MonumentNear Bhubaneswar, Khordha districtBest time to visit: October to March
Highlights
- Ashoka’s rock edicts, including the separate Kalinga edicts
- An elephant carved out of the rock above the edicts
- Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) built with Japanese Buddhist support
- Views over the Daya river plain
Significance
After the Kalinga war in the 3rd century BCE, Ashoka turned to Buddhism and the path of dhamma. The edicts at Dhauli ask officials to treat the people of Kalinga with justice and care, and the site is a symbol of the turn from war to peace.