Dhauli Shanti Stupa

 

Initial Thoughts 

Right on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar the Shanti Stupa is one of the most talked about places in the city. As you wind up the side of a small mountain the area starts to come alive with vendors and people coming to see this awesome place. We enjoyed the drive to the Stupa and also enjoyed our time there. 

Family Friendly? 

Yes this site is family friendly as it is fairly easy to get around and safe for smaller children. Leading up to the Stupa there is tons of small vendors selling toys, chai and all sorts of nick nacks to bring back to family and friends. Once you get to the entrance you will need to either walk up the hill or book an Tuk-Tuk that will take you. However the walk up the hill is probably less than 5 minutes. We decided to get our work out in :) 

Accessible to Most? 

Yes, the Stupa is accessible to most people however if you are in a wheelchair it might be harder to access some of the higher spots.

Money & Costs 

The Stupa itself is free to get into, however there is a small road fee that you will need to pay as you approach the main entrance. If I remember correctly the fee was around 50INR for a car to enter. This amount varies depending on the kind of vehicle you are in. The only other fee you should face is if you wish to take a taxi to the top of the hill. When I asked one of the drivers how much it was they quoted me 300INR which seemed a little high to me so we decided to walk. 

Foreigner Friendly? 

Yes, this is one of the most visited places in all of Bhubaneswar for foreigners. This is a very touristy type place so they are use to seeing visitors with white skin as well. When we were there I never felt pressured to buy anything or pay outrageous fees which was nice. 

Travel Tips 

Approach the entrance on the road fairly slowly as the toll guys sometimes sit on the side of the road and will walk out to meet you. I was zooming in the first time and almost completely missed the toll payment area haha! Other than that just make sure you walk around the grounds of the Stupa, also if you go behind it there is a Hindu temple that many people frequent as well. On your way out or in make sure you grab some Chai from one of the vendors in the clay cups. It always tastes better out of the clay cups! 

Overall Impression 

We really liked visiting the Stupa as it has historical significance for Buddhism in this area. You also get some really beautiful views overlooking the city and the farmlands that surround it. If you are in Bhubaneswar this should be one of your top places to go and check out. You can plan to see most of everything here in about half a day. Also while you are here make sure to check out some ancient rock carvings that are nearby called the "Ashokan Rock Edicts".