Khandagiri Caves are over 2000 years-old Jain caves, situated 6 km west of
Bhubaneswar, in
Khordha District of
Orissa. There are two sets of caves carved into two opposite hills;
Udayagiri Caves and Khandagiri Caves. There are 44 caves in all, some of which are natural while some others are carved out of rock.
Khandagiri Caves can be reached by going up the steps next to the entrance to the Udayagiri Caves.
Caves 1 and 2 are known as Parrot caves because of the birds carved over the doorways. Cave 3, known as Ananta Cave, features beautifully carved figures of elephants, women and a bird carrying flowers. Cave 7 has fine carvings of the nine Tirthankar.
There is a Jain Temple at the top of the hill. The caves remain open from 8:00 to 18:00 hrs.
The government restaurant, situated here, serves delicious dishes.
The closest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport. Bhubaneswar Railway Station is the nearest railhead. Khandagiri Caves can be reached by an auto-rickshaw from Bhubaneswar.
