Dhauli Peace Pagoda, Bhubaneswar is located along the bank of river Daya, the Dhauli hill marks the site of the famous historical event The Kalinga War, which had caused immense bloodshed but subsequently led to the transformation of Emperor Ashoka from Chandashoka, Ashoka-the terrible to Dharmashoka, Ashoka-the compassionate.
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| Dhauli Peace Pagoda Bhubaneswar |
The earliest rock-cut Indian sculpture in the shape of a magnificent elephant cut out from a solid rock atop the Ashokan rock-edict at Dhauli and the Peace Pagoda built by the Japanese monks are among the major attractions.
Ashoka had a special weakness for Dhauli, where the battle was fought. The Daya river is said to have turned red with the blood of the many deceased after the battle, and enabled Ashoka to realize the magnitude of horror associated with war. He saw to it that Dhauli became an important centre of Buddhist activities. He built several chaityas, stupas and pillars there. He got abodes excavated for the recluse, instructions inscribed for officials, expounded the main principles of dandaniti for the public, provided special status to his new kingdom including the stupas at Dhauli