Rock solid peace

There are moments in history, forever etched in time, that change the course of destiny. The Dhauli Giri Hills stand testament to the pivot of Ashoka from magnificent warrior to pilgrim of peace, for it is here that the battle of Kalinga is presumed to have been fought and where Ashoka renounced war.

As noted historian Shri. Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra aptly said: “The political history of mankind in reality is a history of wars and no war has ended with so successful a mission of peace for the entire war-torn humanity as the war of Kalinga”.

Red River

So ferocious was the battle of Kalinga, that the Daya river is said to have turned red with the blood of the multitudes of fallen. It is at that moment that Ashoka is said to realize the magnitude of horror associated with war and forever pledge peace.

Edicts for mankind

Located 8 km from Bhubaneswar, the Dhauli Giri Hills have a mass of rock by the side of the road leading to its summit. Engraved on this mass of rock are major Edicts of Ashoka. The Rock Edicts, as they are referred to, include Nos. I-X, XIV and two separate Kalinga Edicts. It is in Kalinga Edict VI, that Ashoka expresses his concern for the "welfare of the whole world".

The Buddha’s Footprints

The Dhauli Hills is renowned today as the site of the Peace Pagoda or Dhauli Shani Stupa. The dome-shaped Stupa incorporates various elements of Buddhism, including five umbrellas that symbolize the five essential parts of Buddhism as well as stone panels that display Lord Buddha’s footprints and the Bodhi tree.

Even before this Stupa was built, Ashoka built several chaityas, stupas and pillars there. The mass of rock at the Hills also bears carvings of the head and forelegs of an elephant emerging from the rock, marking the spot where the change of heart and transformation of Ashoka occurred. It is said to be the oldest rock cut sculpture in India.

In and around the Hills

There’s a lot more to experience beyond the Dhauli Giri Hills – an ancient Shiva temple in the vicinity is a huge draw for the hordes during Shivratri. There is also the Bhaskareshwar Temple that house various Ashokan edicts and even a stupa.