Shanti Stupa of Dhauligiri is also known as Peace Pagoda. It is located on the top of Dhauli Hills, on the banks of the Daya River, 8 km from Bhubaneswar. You can see it from a distance when traveling from Bhubaneswar to Puri by road. It is also the place where the Kalinga war was fought.
Shanti Stupa was built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in 1972 to mark the famous Kalinga War, which was fought on the banks of the Daya River around 261 BC.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa has four different idols of Lord Buddha in various postures. A Shiva temple is present behind the stupa and is also a tourist attraction.
Other major attractions of Dhauli are various rock edicts. The rock edicts found here embody Nos. I-X, XIV, and two separate Kalinga Edicts. In Kalinga Edict VI, he expresses his concern for the “welfare of the full world.” The rock-cut elephant on top of the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha.
The stone elephant solely shows the animal’s foreparts, though it’s a fine sense of type and movement. Another significance that is said to earth is the type of an elephant, and to that extent, the elephant most likely represented the Buddha to devotees.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa history
Kalinga War – is known as one of the bloodiest wars in the history of humanity. The Daya river is claimed to possess turned red with the blood of the numerous deceased. Ashoka won the war, but the bloodshed changed him from Chanda Ashoka to Dharma Ashoka.
Dharma Ashoka chose the path of peace and tranquillity and converted to Buddhism. He laid the foundation of Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa at a place known for the end of the Kalinga War.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa Timing
No entry fee.
Opening Time : 06:00 AM Closing Time : 06:00 PM
Open: Daily
How to Reach Dhauli Shanti Stupa:
By Air:
The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar‘s Biju Patnaik Airport, 6 kilometers away from Shanti Stupa.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is in Bhubaneswar’s Master Canteen Square, around 20 kilometers away from Dhauli Shanti Stupa. Private cars, taxis, and auto are available from the railway station.
By Road:
Bhubaneswar is the capital of Odisha, which is well connected to other major cities of India via National highways. Kolkata is 480 kilometers away, and Chennai is 1225 kilometers away. Private cars, taxis, and auto are available from the Bhubaneswar bus stand.
