Dhauli, Peace pagoda

Located on top of Dhauli Hill a short distance south of Bhubaneswar, Shanti Stupa (also known as the International Peace Pagoda) was built in 1972 in a collaborative project between the Odisha Government and Kalinga Nippon Sangha (a nearby Buddhist monastery). The stupa’s location is of great significance to the history of India. Below this hill somewhere near the Daya River the famous Kalinga War took place in circa 261 B.C. The bloodshed that occurred (possibly up to 200,000 people were killed) resulted in the victorious Ashoka renouncing violence and converting from Chanda Ashoka (fierce warrior) to Dharma Ashoka (peace lover). Ashoka turned to Buddhism, and started promoting the religion throughout his empire.Shanti Stupa houses four massive statues of Lord Buddha in various poses, along with a series of stone panels carved with episodes from his life. Further scenes depict the aftermath of the battle that took place on the plains below, and the process of Ashoka turning away from his violent ways.