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Heritage

Dhauli Hills

location_on Dhauli, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002, Khordha District District, Odisha near_me 8 km from Bhubaneswar

Historic site of the Kalinga War with Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts and a stunning Japan-built White Peace Pagoda overlooking the Daya River.

calendar_month Best: Oct - Mar schedule Duration: Half Day
directions_car NH-16 towards Puri
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Location

Khordha District

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Distance

8 km from Bhubaneswar

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Best Time

Oct - Mar

schedule

Duration

Half Day

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Route

NH-16 towards Puri

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About This Attraction

Complete guide to Dhauli Hills

About Dhauli Hills

Dhauli (meaning white in Odia) is the rocky hill near Bhubaneswar where one of history’s most consequential battles was fought — the Kalinga War of 261 BCE. It was here that Emperor Ashoka’s victory over the Kalinga kingdom resulted in such massive carnage that the emperor renounced violence and embraced Buddhism, transforming his empire and influencing Asian civilisation for millennia.

Historical & Cultural Importance

Dhauli houses the oldest rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka — inscriptions carved directly into a natural rock face, declaring Ashoka’s conversion to dhamma (righteousness). The site also features a remarkable carving of an elephant emerging from the rock — symbolising Buddhism. At the summit stands the magnificent Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), built in 1972 by Japanese Buddhists, with stunning white-domed stupas and medallions depicting the life of Buddha.

The Visitor Experience

Visiting Dhauli is a meditative experience — walking up the gentle hill, reading Ashoka’s edicts in the original rock, and reaching the glowing white Peace Pagoda with panoramic views over the Daya River and Bhubaneswar below. It’s one of the most peaceful and historically profound places in all of India.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

Few places in the world allow you to stand exactly where one of history’s greatest transformations occurred. Dhauli is not just a heritage site — it is the birthplace of the idea that conquest by righteousness is greater than conquest by war. For history enthusiasts and spiritual seekers alike, it is unmissable.

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Why Visit Here?

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Ashokan Rock Edicts

Stand before 2,300-year-old imperial inscriptions — the oldest surviving text of Emperor Ashoka.

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Shanti Stupa

Magnificent White Peace Pagoda built in 1972 by Japan Buddhist Sangha — a symbol of peace.

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Panoramic Views

Vista over the historic Daya River and Bhubaneswar city from the hilltop pagoda.

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Peaceful & Meditative

One of the most serene and contemplative sites in Odisha — perfect for reflection.

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Sunset Destination

Spectacular sunsets from the hilltop, with the white pagoda glowing golden against the sky.

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Buddhism Heritage

A key site on India's Buddhist heritage trail — visited by scholars and pilgrims worldwide.

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How to Reach Here

Complete travel options to Dhauli Hills

flight

By Air

Bhubaneswar International Airport (BBI) — 10 km

Fly into Bhubaneswar (BBI). Dhauli is 10 km from the airport. Hire a taxi (₹300–400) or auto-rickshaw (₹150–200) directly from the airport.

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By Train

Bhubaneswar Railway Station — 8 km

Take a train to Bhubaneswar station. From the city, auto-rickshaws and cabs reach Dhauli easily for ₹150–300.

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By Road

Just 8 km from Bhubaneswar on the Puri highway (NH-16). Frequent city buses stop here. Auto-rickshaws from Bhubaneswar cost ₹150–200.

Curated Tour Packages

Chilika Lake & Coastal Wildlife Explorer
Beach Nature & Wildlife Lovers
₹11,499

Chilika Lake & Coastal Wildlife Explorer

Bhubaneswar → Puri → Satapada (Chilika) → Gopalpur → Bhubaneswar

Five days along Odisha's coast and Chilika Lagoon — dolphin-spotting boat rides at Satapada, the bird sanctuary of Nalabana, Puri's beaches, and the colonial calm of Gopalpur-on-Sea. A nature lover's coastal circuit.

Duration 5 Days / 4 Nights
Starting Point Bhubaneswar Airport (BBI)
Best For Nature & Wildlife Lovers
Best Season November – February (peak bird season)
Top Destinations
Chilika Puri Gopalpur
Package Highlights
Irrawaddy Dolphins Nalabana Bird Sanctuary Gopalpur-on-Sea Asia's Largest Lagoon
Transport Private AC vehicle + lagoon boat rides
Stay 4 nights — lake resort, beach hotels
Meals Breakfast + Dinner (MAP)

Route: Bhubaneswar → Puri → Satapada (Chilika) → Gopalpur → Bhubaneswar

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Simlipal Wildlife & Waterfalls Safari
Adventure Adventure & Wildlife Enthusiasts
₹12,999

Simlipal Wildlife & Waterfalls Safari

Bhubaneswar → Simlipal (Pithabata) → Chahala → Chandipur → Bhubaneswar

A 5-day wilderness circuit through Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj — towering Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls, dense sal forests, elephant and deer country, ending at the unique vanishing-sea beach of Chandipur.

Duration 5 Days / 4 Nights
Starting Point Bhubaneswar / Balasore
Best For Adventure & Wildlife Enthusiasts
Best Season November – mid-June (reserve open Oct–Jun)
Top Destinations
Simlipal Barehipani Chandipur
Package Highlights
Simlipal Tiger Reserve Barehipani Falls (399 m) Core-Zone Jeep Safari Chandipur Vanishing Sea
Transport Private AC vehicle + forest 4x4 jeep safari
Stay 4 nights — forest lodge & beach resort
Meals Breakfast + Dinner (MAP)

Route: Bhubaneswar → Simlipal (Pithabata) → Chahala → Chandipur → Bhubaneswar

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Daringbadi Hill Station & Eastern Ghats Escape
Adventure Couples & Families seeking cool weather
₹8,999

Daringbadi Hill Station & Eastern Ghats Escape

Bhubaneswar → Daringbadi → Belghar/Phulbani → Bhubaneswar

Escape to Daringbadi, the only hill station in Odisha — nicknamed the 'Kashmir of Odisha'. Four days of pine forests, coffee and pepper plantations, misty valley viewpoints, gentle waterfalls, and the tribal culture of the Kandhamal highlands.

Duration 4 Days / 3 Nights
Starting Point Bhubaneswar / Berhampur
Best For Couples & Families seeking cool weather
Best Season October – February (cool & misty)
Top Destinations
Daringbadi Kandhamal Belghar
Package Highlights
Kashmir of Odisha Coffee & Pepper Estates Pine Forest Viewpoints Kandhamal Tribal Culture
Transport Private AC vehicle (hill-driving experienced)
Stay 3 nights — hillside cottage / resort
Meals Breakfast + Dinner (MAP)

Route: Bhubaneswar → Daringbadi → Belghar/Phulbani → Bhubaneswar

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Odisha Heritage & Temple Architecture Trail
Cultural Culture, History & Architecture Lovers
₹16,999

Odisha Heritage & Temple Architecture Trail

Bhubaneswar → Dhauli → Konark → Puri → Raghurajpur → Chilika → Bhubaneswar

The definitive 7-day cultural journey through Odisha — the Kalinga temples of Bhubaneswar, the Buddhist Diamond Triangle, Konark's Sun Temple, Puri's Jagannath Dham, the art village of Raghurajpur, Dhauli's peace stupa and Chilika lagoon.

Duration 7 Days / 6 Nights
Starting Point Bhubaneswar Airport (BBI)
Best For Culture, History & Architecture Lovers
Best Season October – March
Top Destinations
Bhubaneswar Konark Puri Chilika
Package Highlights
Kalinga Temple Architecture Buddhist Diamond Triangle UNESCO Konark & Jagannath Dham Chilika Lake Excursion
Transport Private AC vehicle throughout
Stay 6 nights — 4★ city, beach & lake stays
Meals Breakfast + Dinner (MAP)

Route: Bhubaneswar → Dhauli → Konark → Puri → Raghurajpur → Chilika → Bhubaneswar

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Essential Travel Guide

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Best Time to Visit

Year-round. Best in early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperature and beautiful light on the white pagoda. December to February is ideal.

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Suggested Duration

2–3 hours including the walk up, the rock edicts, the pagoda, and panoramic views. Combine with Udayagiri Caves (10 km) for a half-day heritage trail.

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What to Carry

Comfortable walking shoes for the hill path. Sunscreen and water. Minimal crowds in the morning.

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Photography Advice

Sunrise and sunset create beautiful golden light on the white pagoda. The rock edicts are in a small chamber — phone torch useful for reading them.

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Local Etiquette

Respectful silence at the pagoda and near the edicts. Remove shoes before entering the pagoda. Photography of the pagoda is permitted.

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Got Questions?

What is the significance of Dhauli for Buddhism? expand_more
Dhauli is where Emperor Ashoka (272–232 BCE), after witnessing the devastation of the Kalinga War, renounced violence and embraced Buddhism. His rock edicts here — among the first written records of Buddhist principles in South Asia — mark the birth of Buddhist statecraft.
Is Dhauli included in most Bhubaneswar tours? expand_more
Yes, Dhauli is typically included in the standard "Buddhist Heritage Tour" of Bhubaneswar along with Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves. Most city tours visit both sites in half a day.

Explore Nearby

Discover more gems within a short drive

Konark Sun Temple Heritage

Konark Sun Temple

Puri District

UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring stunning 13th-century architecture dedicated to the Sun God Surya.

  • location_on Konark, Odisha 752111
  • my_location 65 km from Bhubaneswar
  • calendar_month Oct - Mar
  • schedule 1-2 Days
  • groups All Ages

Route: Via NH-16 from Bhubaneswar

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