The Peace Pagoda, Dhauligiri 

The small hillock of Dhauli is teeming with history, apart from the magnificent Shanti Stupa, it’s home to one of the earliest Buddhist sculpture in Odisha, The elephant on top of the Ashokan Rock Edicts located on the way up to the Stupa. There is a park with Ashok Stambh and Kalinga Nippon Monastery, built by the Kalinga-Nippon Sangh

Bhubaneswar is a historical city. It witnessed many historical events and still it has many historical monuments which are expressing about those historical events. Bhubaneswar is surrounded with many temples and historical places. Among these, Shanti Stupa or Dhauligiri's place is more significant which stands beside Daya River. This represents and tells us about the braveness of Kalinga worriers, who were sacrificed their lives to protect their motherland. Similarly it represents the power of non violence, where a cruel king Chandashoka converted into Dharmashoka, a simple and peace loving person.

"Shanti stupa at dhauligiri is a place where the great king Ashoka laid the foundation when he witnessed the darkest side of kalinga war after seeing the river Daya turning red due to bloodbath and became the propagator of peace."

No mention of Dhauligiri is complete without a brief anecdote on the Kalinga War, recorded as one of the bloodiest conflict in the annals of history.

What makes it unique is the message that it propagated in the aftermath. According to noted historian Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra- “The political history of mankind in reality is a history of wars and no war has ended with so successful a mission of peace for the entire war-torn humanity as the war of Kalinga”.

The reason for Ashoka invading Kalinga were primarily a couple of things – Kalinga then was a prosperous region. They were the first to initiate trade and commerce in foreign lands such as Indonesia, Borneo etc, the people lived in an organised society which followed an open culture and uniform code, it was a treasure trove for art and artefacts. Secondly it was a land of valour and none other than Chandragupta Maurya had failed to annex Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire.

Historically Odisha or Kalinga as it was known then was a feudal republic – the land of fiercely independent and valiant tribesmen who ruled over designated territories

Shanti Stupa, the white tomb situated on the small hills of Dhauligiri. As it is white in colour and represents world peace, so it is also known as "Peace Pagoda". This monument, Shanti Stupa was built by Japan Buddhist Sangh and the Government of Odisha in 1971-72. Four statues of Goutam Buddha in different postures are present in four different direction of Shanti Stupa. Two of in meditation form, one standing and another in sleeping posture statues are present. On the walls of the Shanti Stupa, information about the Kalinga war is inscribed in the form of statues or images. On the four directions four pair of yellow coloured lion statues is there. From the above you can easily see the Daya River which was witnessed the Kalinga war.

The most important thing in the Dhauli, which is able to attract more tourists from other countries are the edicts of Ashoka. These edicts were remained undiscovered and hidden for many decades from the people. In 1837-38, these edicts were discovered by Lieut. M. Kittoe and for the first time, these were deciphered by James Princep. The rock edicts of Ashoka, which are present in Dhauli were written in Magadhi Prakrita Language and the early Brahmi script was used for it. Similar Rock Edicts of Ashoka is also seen at the Jaugada, which was present near Kabisurya Nagar in Ganjam district of Odisha

The entire Rock edicts are arranged in three distinct columns. The first column, which contains twenty six lines, expressed about the special Rock Edict – I. The middle column, which contains thirty three lines, contains the general edicts from I to VI; the final column, the first part explains the general Rock Edicts VII to X and XIV, the second part explains about the special rock edict – II.

The Rock Edicts are started with Ashoka's famous doctrine of paternalism: "All men are my children"

Rock Edict – I:Prohibition of Killing of animal in the kingdom including his royal kitchen and imposing of restrictions on festive occasions. 

Rock Edict – II: Arrangement of medical facilities for both human and animals and plantation of medical herbs in the kingdom. He requested for plantation of trees and dug wells on the road sides.

Rock Edict – III: Ordered his officials to set out on tour every five years to propagate moral codes among his subjects. 

Rock Edict – IV: Ordered his officials to promote the practice of morality and compassion. 

Rock Edict – V: Appointment of Mahamatras from all sections to establish and promote morality.

Rock Edict – VI: Ordered his officials to report him on matters of administration at all time and at all places. 

Rock Edict – VII: Self control and purity of mind are objects of attainment for all sections.

Rock Edict – VIII: His planning about visit to the Brahmanas and Sramanas.

Rock Edict – IX: Recommended the practice of morality and good behaviour towards slaves and servants, reverence to elders, gentleness to animals and all.

Rock Edict – X: Proclaimed that morality is the only act of fame and glory. 

Rock Edict – XIV: Inscribed way of morality at various places in his vast empire according to the subject matter and places.

While the Special Rock Edict – I, addressing the Mahamatras of Toshali, Ashoka proclaims that all his subjects are just like his own children and he wishes their welfare and happiness

In the Special Rock Edict – II, he ordered the Mahamatras of Toshali to assure his piety to the unconquered border territories of forest region (Atavikas)

Apart from undertaking a relaxing trek across the hillock of Dhauli, Odisha Tourism conducts a light and sound show every evening. The show is conducted in Odia,Hindi and English. The timings are 7.00 pm and 7.45 pm during the summers and 6.00 pm and 6.45 pm during the winters. The show speaks of the bravery and glory of the Kalinga Empire and the transformation of emperor Ashoka. Renowned actors Mr. Bijay Mohanty, Late Mr. Om Puri and Mr. Kabir Bedi have lent their voice for the Odiya, Hindi & English version of the show respectively. It’s a ticketed show – Entry fee for adults – Rs 25/- per person and for kids below 15 years of age – Rs.15/- per child.