Toshali Sands

Dhauli : In a peaceful and serene environment and barely 8 kms from the city of Bhubaneswar, lies famous for the rock edicts’ of Ashoka. It was here, at the foothil! by the side of the river Daya literals meaning kindness that the valia people of Kalinga defended their territory and turned the river Water red with blood. It was here after the Kalinga victory in the year 261 Be that Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor, adopted non-violence and took to Buddha’s teachings.

A figure in very high relief takes the place of Gajamata, the elephant par excellence and thus the symbol of Buddha himself who descended into his mother’s womb in the form of an elephant. Nobility and wisdom are characteristics of the elephant. The sculpture sought to emphasize these qualities in Buddha just as the noble elephant in the lataka Tales ultimately succeeded in becoming the Enlightened one. Written in Bramhi script, the inscription, popularly known as Ashoka has a11 hoga .feature which not only speclats an overall picture of the reseo ‘devastatlon caused by the reat War but It also descnbes famous instructlons to the Mauryan Viceroy placed at osa I, capital of ancient Kalinga, to rule the people on these guidelines.

In this rock edict he made the famous declaration, “As men are my children and just as I desire for my children that they should obtain welfare and happiness both in this world nod the oext, the 17′ “me do I desire for all men.” from a single block of store. Scones on the slightly higher. there from JalOk stories are also depicted is the Shanti StUpa (Peace Pagoda) on the entire wall of the lower part . 20th centory strUctore of great of the hemispherical ,rupa. A number “stheuc appeal. Built in the eady beanum images of Buddha in his seveoties with an active Indo- vanous mud’”‘ are depicted around lope collaboration under the lower part of the hemispherical supervision of Mahamanya stupa. Five chhatns (umbrellas) are Faji. head of the Japanese Buddhist placed on its flanened top which faith.

this monument of peace stands’ represent few important aspeets of m the form of a massive dome with Buddhism. lotus petals as its crown. The stupa from its orgin emerges as the central focus of workship. It represents Budha’s parinirvan his passage from the world of suffering and lllusion to the world of bliss and reality. It is a double storeyed structure erected on a high terrace platform with two entrance ways with flights of steps. On the four sides of the lower part of the stupa there are four chambers adorned with fouru colossal images of Budha madefrom a single block of stone. Scenes from Jatak stories are also depicted on the entire wall of the lower part of the hemispherical stupa. A number of beautiful images of Budha in his various mudras are depicted around the lower part of the hemispherical stupa. Fiver Chhatris (umbrellas) are placed on its flattened top, which represent five important aspects of Budhism.

Dhauli- A place of antiquity near Bhubanesvara. Two special rock edicts of Asok directing the officials to work for the good of the people are inscribed on this hill. Rock edict XIII which deals with the results of the Kalinga war is missing here. The edicts are on the forefront of a rock cut elephant. Dhauli Santi Stupa and Vahiranges~ra temple on the top of the hill and Ganesh temple nearby are the attractions.

One can straightway proceed to Dhauli, an important historical site famous for Shanti Stupa and Asokan Rock Edicts on a hillock. It is said the famous Kalinga war was fought here during 3rd century BC. It is also a Buddhist site and many archaeological relics are discovered here. It is only 6 Km away from Bhubaheswar.