Significance of Dhauli Shanti Stupa| Kalinga war
On 8th December 2023, I headed my next journey towards Dhauligiri along with my family with our private car from Puri. It took almost one hour to reach Dhauligiri which is a magnificient place with immense historical significance. Infact the distance of Dhauligiri from Puri is approximately 50 kilometers and is just before Bhubaneswar with a slight left turn before the entry to Bhubaneswar.
Dhauligiri hill or the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, whatever you call, is assumed to be that place where the terrific battle of Kalinga was fought under the Maurya emporer Ashoka. Dhauligiri is considered to be that place where innumerable people were killed in the battlefield and the river Daya, which, flows underneath the Dhauligiri hill, was filled with red blood. The Kalinga war was the bloodiest war ever and the terrific view of the blood changed emperor Ashoka's soul. Ashoka took the path of peace by leaving the mindset of war. Currently there is a tall white structure (Dhauli Shanti Stupa) or the Peace Pagoda, that stands tall on the Dhauli hills. This magnificient Shanti Stupa was created with white marbles by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in 1972. The Shanti Stupa represents complete peace that was endorsed by emporer Ashoka after the Kalinga war. If you carefully look at the white Shanti Stupa, you will see five umbrelas on the top of the Stupa, that, signifies the five aspects of Buddhism.
So, on 8th December 2023, we reached Dhauligiri at around 9 am morning. We were at the top of the Dhauligiri hill and the scenic beauty was unparalleled. There is a small area for parking of the small cars and tourist cars just beneath the Dhauli Shanti Stupa above the hill. There are few small shops selling Prasads, and tea stall within that parking place. The scenic beauty arround the surroundings from the parking place was just gorgeous. There are few steps that goes upwards from the parking place to reach the Dhauli Shanti Stupa. As we went upwards through the steps, we got the sight of Lord Hanuman being worshipped in a small area. So, when, we reached the top, we got infront of a temple where Lord Shiva is being worshipped. We have to put off our shoes, and any other footwears before going further. This the place (Lord Shiva's temple) from where the Dhauli Shanti Stupa begins. So, before going further towards the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, we took the blessings from Lord Shiva and then marched forward. We were standing at such a height that we could see all the entire town from the top of the Dhauli hill. The natural beauty was simply amazing. There is a small walkaround from the temple premises to the foot of Dhauli Shanti Stupa. As I reached the foot of the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, I was surprised to see the gorgeous structure of the Dhauli Shanti Stupa built with entire white marbles.
Finally there are some more steps that goes to the body of the Dhauli Shanti Stupa. As I reached over there, I thought, I was standing on the top of everything, as I clould experience the natural beauty, calmness and peace that was prevailing around the surroundings at such a height. I was feeling goosebump as I was standing in that historic place where the Kalinga war was fought and emperor Ashoka opted for peace and preached for Buddhism after the Kalinga war. I could see that historic river Daya flowing beneath the hill, where, innumerable people were killed and being washed away by river (Daya river) water with their blood. You have to move in a circular way to see the entire Dhauli Shanti Stupa. Once we got on the other side of the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, we saw a beaitiful place where, there were many photographers, visitors, and people taking photos and exporing the historic significance of this area. There is a board placed where the entire battle of Kalinga and the life transformation of King Ashoka was written for the visitors. The name Dhauli Shanti Stupa itself contains the word "Shanti" that represents peace. As we stepped down from the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, we saw few shops selling idols of God, and play items for kids. But one thing I must say that, it can be difficult for any handicapped person or who is unable to walk, to, roam around the entire Dhauli Shanti Stupa, as, there were no options for wheelchair over there as far as I saw. However, there are security guards in Dhauli Shanti Stupa from whom you can seek any help if needed.
So, after exploring the Dhauli Shanti Stupa, we finally stepped down to our parking place and then suddenly I came across an interesting board place just behind our car in the parking place. There was written in the board "Gupt Surang Way to Khanagiri 15 km". I saw some few steps that was going downwards and I followed accordingly. As I reached to the end of the steps, I found there was realy a hidden cave underneath. I do not know when was this cave invented but the cave goes meets Khangiri hills and that was what written on the board. However I would recommend no one should enter the cave unless you get to know how safe it is.
