Just 8 km away from Bhubaneswar looking down on the plains that bore witness to the gruesome war waged on Kalinga by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, stand the rock edicts of Dhauli. It was here that King Ashoka, full of remorse renounced his blood thirsty campaign and turned to Buddhism.

The edicts are a living testimony to the King's change of heart. He urges his administrators to rule the land with justice and compassion.

The edicts are so remarkable that they have been excellently preserved, despite the fact that they date back to the 3rd century BC. The rock edicts are topped by a sculpted elephant, the universal symbol of Lord Buddha.

The Shanti Stupa or the peace pagoda, built through the Indo-Japanese collaboration, is located on the opposite hill.