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At the base of the hill, to the right, are the two storied "Rani Gupha or Queens Place" cave. This is the largest and most impressive cave on the lower
story. Carvings of snakes and the
lotus, are some of the auspicious Jain symbols that are extensively used here. Around
the hill to the right, there is the single storied "Ganesh
Gupha" which is almost directly above Rani "Gupha". Above this carving is a structure whose planing is very similar to that of a Buddhist Chaitya hall. Jain monks used this place for worship. The carving of religious Jain symbols is
evident in this cave. Most of these caves were chiseled in these sandstone hills for the Jain monks, who had renounced the world to meditate in peace and quiet and to do austere
penance. The Samosavaran of Bhagwan Mahavir was held here and hence it is known
as atishay Kshetra. The udaygiri hill is just opposite side to the
Khandgiri hill. Rare ancient idols are found in the caves of both
the hills.
Trust: Shri Khandigiri - Udaygiri Jain Digambar Siddhakshetra Karyalaya,
Khandgiri, Bhuvanashver, Dist. : Puri, State : Orissa, India.
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