Back in October 2015, I had the opportunity to visit Bhubaneswar, India for business. After our work day, we had the opportunity to visit the Udayagiri Jain Caves. Located on the northwest side of town, these caves were carved into the sandstone hill starting in the first century B.C. as dwelling retreats for devotees of the Jain religion.

Jains practice extreme asceticism so the dwellings are sparse on the interior. Not so the exterior which has many detailed carvings and reliefs. Rani Gumpha or the Queen’s Cave is perhaps the most impressive.

Rani Gumpha or Queen’s Cave, cave #1 at Udayagiri caves

There is a delightful carving of a tiger known as Bagh Gumpha. Yes, the “Tiger Cave.”

Bagh Gumpha or Tiger cave

Udayagiri is part of a larger complex of caves and temples that includes caves and temples on Khandagiri hill. This is a view looking across to Khandagiri temple.

The Sun setting behind Khandagiri temple

Small Elephant Cave has beautiful carved elephants.

Chota Hathi Gumpha or Small Elephant Cave

The sleeping accommodations were spartan.

Sleeping cells are carved into the rock

The decoration, on the other hand, is quite impressive.

There are many decorative carvings

Sleeping cells are set back.

The complex is quite impressive

All sorts of decoration surround the sleeping cells.

Two beasts on a column

The decorative carvings are well preserved

It would be interesting to know the story behind this carving

The cells are set back, perhaps to keep them cooler

The setting Sun turned the rock golden.

A part of the Udayagiri Jain Cave complex

Of course, monkeys were everywhere.

There are always monkeys at these sites….