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Ashoka,
the Mauryan Emperor, inscribed his decrees on a rock called
the Ashoka Rock Edicts at the foot of Dhauli Hill. These are
the earliest known inscribed records in India. Above the
edicts there is a sculpture of a frontal view of an elephant,
which is the earliest known sculpture in Orissa. It is said
that after Ashoka’s army killed 150,000 people in a battle
near here in 265 BC, he renounced the path of violence and
decided to follow the path of the Buddha.
There
is the impressive Buddhist Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) on top
of this hill. It is a beautiful, white-domed building built in
the 1970s by Japanese and Indian Buddhists. The Dhaveleswara
Temple, a Siva temple, is on the top of the hill. There are
good views from the top of the hill.
The
great wave of Buddhism, that overwhelmed the whole world, was
born here. Ashoka, horrified at the morbid aftermath of the
war, that he saw around him, discarded the world of vanity and
materialism, in favour of the realm of spiritual salvation,
and knowledge of the self. Thus, was born the greatest patron,
Buddhism has ever known. Dhauli is renowned for its Ashokan
rock edicts, inscribed on a rock, crowned by a relief
depicting an elephant. These contain 11 of the 14 rock edicts
to be found, within the perimeter of the Ashokan empire. Apart
from these edicts, also present are two rock edicts, that
Ashoka had specially got inscribed, for the people of Kalinga.
This
hill is 8 km from Bhubaneswar, on the bank of Daya river. This
stands for the great Kalinga war, fought in 3rd Century BC.
The OTDC organized tours are a convenient way to visit this
spot. If you don’t travel in your own vehicle, be prepared
to walk about 2km from where the public bus lets you off (ask
for Dhauli Chowk). To come here by auto-rickshaw is around Rs
100 roundtrip (there are no rickshaws available at the site)
plus waiting time.
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| The
significance of Dhauli for Buddhists all over the world, led
to the establishment of a shanti stupa, or peace pagoda,
alongwith a monastery called Saddharma Vihar, by the Kalinga
Nippon - Buddha Sangha, under the guidance of Guruji Fujii,
Founder President of Nipponzan Myohoji of Japan, in the early
1970s.
Dhauli also
houses small rock cut caves, medieval Hindu temples, and a
renovated hill - top Shiva temple, known as Dhavaleswara. Such
a rich ancient heritage, coupled with an idyllic landscape
render Dhauli an unforgettable site, indeed. |
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