Dhauli-
At Peace!
Waking up at 5 in the morning for the first time
since we have come here was not an easy task for most of us but ironically everyone
was eager for the same. The road trip, our destination and of course the
company of friends made us all excited and raring to go on a Sunday morning.
The trip as always was fun filled what with the
music blasting in the cab, the occasional stops for tea and snacks and the
enchanting panorama of Odisha outside accompanied by the light breeze.
We reach our destination, Dhauli, which is located
on the banks of the river Daya, 8 km south of Bhubaneshwar, and is a hill
surrounded by lush green fields and some signs of human habitation. The place
has a bloody history but now is one of the most peaceful and beautiful spots
that one can find. History has it that the river Daya turned red with the blood
of the many deceased after the infamous and the last war of King Ashoka, the
Kalinga war. Dhauli is where Ashoka’s 1st separate rock edict is carved and
where Ashoka surveying the bloodied fields below him, reflects on the price
people have paid for his grand ambitions.
As we all reach on the top of the hill, an impressive
white peace pagoda (Dhauli Shanti Stupa) stands in front of us which was
built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in the 1970s
and from where the plush fields can be seen. The scorching heat does not diminish
our enthusiasm to roam around the place, click pictures and visit the small
temples behind the pagoda.
Done with the roving about, we all sit together to
view the surroundings in peace and admire the beauty of the place. I try hard to
imagine the epiphany of the Kalinga war looking down at the winding river, but all
that comes to my mind is what splendour and serenity the site is endowed with.
Along with the Ashokan Edicts, the peace pagoda and
modern Buddhist monastery, Dhauli offers us with small rock cut caves, Hindu
temples of early medieval period and a
renovated Shiva temple dedicated to Lord 'Dhavalesvara' on top of the hill as
added attractions.
After many hours we leave the place filled with tranquillity
and joy and much to my displeasure the heat finally takes its toll on me making
me ill. Endowed with great friends, I am taken care of immediately and I feel
better after a few medicines and food.
Even though we are tired and repent our return to
the hostel, we enjoy as much as we can the last few hours by singing and having
fun on our ride back.
Dhauligiri surely meets with the sightseeing agenda
as well as the equanimity that one needs in today’s bustle.
So it was now a matter of awaiting our next trip…
