Shanti Stupa

One of the popular landmarks of Odisha's Buddhist heritage is Dhauli International Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), located 8 km south on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The Peace Pagoda is constructed atop Dhauli Hills close to the river bank of Daya River. It was built as a collaborative project between Kalinga Nippon Sangha and the Odisha Government in 1972 to mark the famous Kalinga War that was fought along the banks of Daya River around 261 BC. The war was won by emperor Ashoka but the bloodshed that had happened, changed his heart and he converted to Dharma Ashoka (peace lover) from Chanda Ashoka (fierce warrior). Emperor Ashok subsequently turned a Buddhist and he started propagating Buddhism to kingdoms in foreign lands.

The Dhauli Shanti Stupa has four massive idols of Lord Buddha in various postures along with episodes from Gautam Buddha's life carved on stone slabs. Just behind the Stupa stands a Shiva temple. Other major attractions of Dhauli Hills are the various rock edicts, which are a living testimony of emperor Ashoka’s change of heart. Historians say Ashoka wrote ‘welfare of the whole world’ in Kalinga Edict VI, depicting his concern about mankind. A rock-cut elephant located above the edicts is considered to be one of the oldest Buddhist sculptures in the State. The Dhauli Hills also provide a bird's eye view of the entire area, lush green agricultural lands and the river Daya. The heritage site is approachable from Bhubaneswar by buses and taxis.