Dhauli Giri Hills

Dhauli Giri Hills is a popular tourist attraction located in the city of Bhubaneswar, in the Indian state of Odisha. It is a significant historical site and is known for its association with the famous Kalinga War, which took place in 261 BC. The hill is situated on the banks of the Daya River and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. The hill is home to several ancient rock edicts, which were inscribed by Emperor Ashoka after his victory in the Kalinga War. These edicts offer important insights into Ashoka's policies of non-violence, peace, and religious tolerance. The rock edicts are believed to be some of the earliest examples of Indian inscriptions in Brahmi script. Apart from the rock edicts, the hill also has a large white peace pagoda, known as the Shanti Stupa. The pagoda was built in 1972 by the Japanese Buddhist monk, Nichidatsu Fujii, as a symbol of peace and harmony. It is one of the 80 peace pagodas that were built around the world by the monk.