Dhauli hill is not a hill station in Odisha, but this place is important for the Buddhists, as a Buddhist monastery is located.

Location of Dhauli Hills
Dhauli hill is located on the banks of the river Daya, 8 km south of Bhuvaneswar in the Khorda district of Odisha.

History of Dhauli Hills
The peace pagoda or the Shanti Stupa was developed near the Daya river valley, where the Kalinga War was fought. Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor took over the reigns ascertaining his unquestioning autocracy but, the bloodshed metamorphosed the emperor`s weary heart and he self willingly chose the path of peace leaving the one of bloodshed and armed warrior ship. Myth confirms that Daya River changed itself into red colour from the blood that was shed from the body of the numerous deceased and thereby enabled Ashoka to comprehend and recognize the associated horror that is pasted to the very notion of warfare. Ashoka kept a notice, a check that Dhauli became an important centre of Buddhist activities. He built several chaityas, stupas and pillars there. On the top of the hill, a dazzling white peace pagoda known as the Peace Pagoda or the Shanti Stupa has been built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in the 1970s. As Ashoka went on to embrace Buddhism, and became an ambassador of Non Violence. Dhauli Hills has gained fame for the edicts related to Buddhism that were seemed to have been composed from the Brahmi Script and used Prakrit Language. A series of rock cut monuments at this hill can be spotted at once. The Rock Edicts found here and two separate Kalinga Edicts. The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha. The stone elephant shows the animal"s foreparts only, though it has a fine sense of form and movement. Copious artefacts provide the detailed analysis about the urban settlement at this place in the 3rd Century B.C.

Geography of Dhauli hill
Dhauli hill is a hill with vast open space adjoining it, and has major Edicts of Ashoka engraved on a mass of rock, by the side of the road leading to the summit of the hill.

Dhauli as a Buddhist Destination
Dhauli hill is an important Buddhist tourist destination, near Bhuvaneswar, for the ancient sculptures and the extraordinary art forms that have been found here. The hills are also famous for the Kalinga war that is famous for the transformation of Ashoka, into Buddhism.

Tourism in Dhauli hill
Dhauli is also known for serene environment and a perfect picnic spot for locals who want to refresh their mind and body or want to take a deep breath away from city life. However, not only in Buddhism but also for Hinduism, Dhauli is a pilgrimage. The rock cut caves; small Hindu temples known to belong to the medieval age, a Shiva temple on top of hill are some of the attractions of this place.

Visiting Information
Bhubhaneswar is the nearest airport, well connected to major cities of India. Bhuvaneswar is a major station near Dhauli and well connected on the railway network of India. Dhauli can be reached by bus or rented taxi. Auto rickshaws run too, but as usual, fix the amount before riding.

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