Indian History and Architecture

Cave 7: Navamuni-gumpha – Originally, this cave had two cells with a veranda in front. Later, the partition wall between the cells was removed, along with its front intervening wall and the whole was made into a spacious chamber. These…

Cave 1: Tatowa-gumpha 1 – This cave is named after the figures of parrots carved on the arches of its doorways. It is consisted of a single cell with two entrances, preceded by a benched veranda. The façade has a…

Khandagiri cave complex and Udayagiri cave complex are situated on the two prominence of the same hill, separated by a modern road. Locals assign four different names to its four separate prominence, Udayagiri (Sun-rise hill), Khandagiri (Broken hill), Nilagiri (Blue…

Cave 15: Dhanaghara-gumpha – This single cell cave has preceding veranda supported on two pillars and two pilasters. The cave is protected by a single guard, carved on its left pilaster. He is shown standing with both hands clasping a…

Cave 14: Hathi-gumpha – Architecturally, this large natural cavern is of no interest, however it is famous for its inscription, incised on its brow. The inscription has suffered much damage, all natural causes like weather, rain etc., and a shed…

Cave 11: Jamesvara-gumpha – This single cell cave has two entrances, and preceded by a benched verandah supported on two pillars. An inscription near an entrance door records that it was the cave of Nakiya, wife of Mahamada. Barua1 indicates…

Fergusson1 mentions that the name of the cave is apparently derived from the two elephants flanking the entrance, R L Mitra also agrees with him on this point. However Debala Mitra2 is appropriate in stating that the name is derived from the…

Cave 2: Bajaghara-Gumpha – This is a twin cave, comprises of two independent cells with their own verandahs. As both cells are carved on the same boulder, therefore it is referred as a single cave. The front portions of both…

“To the artist or the architect the group of caves situated on the Udayagiri hills in Orissa is perhaps even more interesting than those in Behar just described, but to the archaeologist they are less so, from the difficulty of…

Cave 1: Rani-gumpha This is the largest and the finest cave in the complex. Facing west and built in two storeys, around three sides of a quadrangle, it is lavishly decorated with sculptures, friezes and motifs. The pillared hall of…