Bhubaneswar Walks: A Heritage Trip To Dhauli & Its Rock-Cut Elephant, Ashokan Edict

Bhubaneswar: To inspire and activate people to learn about their own glorious past, especially the historical importance of Dhauli and its vicinity, a heritage walk was organised by Bhubaneswar Walks under the aegis of Sarna Educational and Cultural Services, early on Sunday.

Locals from nearby areas of Dhauli and heritage enthusiasts from the city participated in the event and explored the magnificent story behind the rock-cut elephant and the Ashokan edict near the foothills of Dhauli hill.

Archaeologist-cum-author Jitu Mishra explained how Dhauli on the banks of the historic Daya river had become the epicentre of the proliferation of Buddhism and the transformation of the blood-thirsty Emperor Ashoka to Dharmasoka or Ashoka with a compassionate heart.

Narrating the Kalinga War and its effects on the great emperor and how he changed himself and through his rock edicts of Dhauli addressed the entire humanity as his children, Mishra observed that if today, we are talking about UN and its pan-global role, Ashoka through his rock edicts did it some 2500 or nearly 3,000 years before.

“The essence of Dhauli lies in the rock-cut elephant and the Ashokan edict and also the Daya river bed and ancient temples nearby as the white pagoda was built only during 1972,” he said, adding Ashoka’s one of the younger siblings was also associated with a monastery here.

Purna Chandra Swain, a participant, who is a local admitted that they learnt many interesting aspects of Dhauli from the walk. Another visitor Jogendra Muduli also added that Buddha’s story of influencing the great rulers of ancient India to spread humanity and love across the world is perhaps the greatest contribution of India to the world, which loves expansionism and hatred.

Among others, co-founder of Serna Educational Trust Rosalin Dash and heritage enthusiast Bibhuti Barik participated in the maiden walk.

Bhubaneswar Walks organises heritage walks in two circuits of Udayagiri – Khandagiri and Dhauli. It’s planning to add more circuits to its itinerary soon. The event starts at 6.30 am in the morning and continues for 2 hours on Sundays.