We went to see the Khandagiri and Udaygiri caves about 5 miles east of Bhubanshwar in a taxi provided by the hotel. They were cut in the 1st century BC by Jaina ascetics under King Kharavela and his successors as dormitories and were lived in until the 10th-11th centuries. There were 15 in the Khandagiri hill and 18 in Udaygiri, and some were made into shrines. At the top of Udaygiri Hill there are the remains of the foundations of a temple dating to 2nd century BC. The doorways of the cells have pilasters on either side with growling animal figures and the arches over them are inscribed with flowers, creepers and animals. The famous inscription of Kharavela is found on the brows of the Hathigumpha Cave, written in the Brahmi script. It describes the military victories of Kharavela including the defeat of the Magadha and the retrieval of the Jaina images taken by the Nanda king. We then went to see the museum of tribal minorities.
Ganesha outside the La Franklin hotel
Jennifer, the Manager of La Franklin and the beautiful palm trees in its garden
Lilies at La Franklin
Jain temple at the summit of Khandagiri
Monkey climbing on bloke’s back at Udaigiri
Udaigiri caves
Foundation of temple at summit of Udaigiri
Painting at Museum of Tribal Minorities
Tribal painting
Tribal work from rice stalks
