Dhauli Peace Stupa

The Hill That Changed History

On the banks of the Daya River, just south of Bhubaneswar, the gentle hill of Dhauli marks one of history's great turning points. It was here, after the devastating Kalinga War of 261 BCE, that Emperor Ashoka renounced violence and embraced Buddhism — a transformation that reshaped the Indian subcontinent.

Crowning the hill today is the gleaming white Shanti Stupa, or Peace Pagoda, built in the 1970s as a symbol of harmony. Nearby, Ashoka's famous rock edicts remain carved into the stone, still urging compassion more than two thousand years on. Sunset over the river valley here is quietly unforgettable.

Highlights

• The gleaming white Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda)
• Ancient Ashokan rock edicts carved in stone
• The historic Kalinga War site on the Daya River
• Sweeping valley views, especially at sunset