Bhubaneswar: Not an ordinary hill, Dhauli Hill holds a glorious past of Odisha's history. This is a symbol of the strength, courage and ability of the brave people of Kalinga. 

Today, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi at Dhauli said on the occasion of the 52nd foundation day of Shanti Stupa that this Dhauli is a place of pilgrimage that has been united by the tears and blood of Odia's heroic people. 

Attending the program organized at Dhauli on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that after the terrible Kalinga War in 261 BC, Emperor Ashoka took a vow of peace and embraced Buddhism. This statue of peace was established by the efforts of the Japanese government 52 years ago. Since then, this has been a symbol of peace and friendship.

The Chief Minister also said that when Buddhism is discussed, the name of Odisha comes first. The extent of Buddhism spread in Odisha and the extent of Buddhism that can be seen in Bihar Odisha cannot be seen in any other province of India. Buddhism spread in Odisha from the 6th century BC. A decisive turning point in the history of India took place on the banks of the Dayanadi in the land of Dhauli . Emperor Ashoka of Magadha was turned into Dharmasoka . 

The Chief Minister said that it is believed that Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and his daughter Sanghamitra from Odisha to Sinhalese to propagate Buddhism abroad.

Throwing light on the rich business tradition of the past, the Chief Minister said that the sons of Odisha Sadhabs were well versed in the business tradition at that time. They were going to cross the seven seas to trade. People of no other state of India knew about Boat seafaring at that time. So the Buddhist monks going abroad from Odisha to propagate Buddhism. That is why Buddhism spread widely in Odisha. As a historical witness, the ruins of Buddha Bihar, caves and ruins can be seen even today in Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Khadgiri.

He further said that the peace stupa which has been built  at Dhauligiri is spreading the message of peace and non-violence to the whole world. Emperor Ashoka built many beautiful stupas and stone pillars here to spread the message of peace among the people. Today's modern Shantistupa was built in the 1970s by the Japan Buddhist Association and the Kalinga Nippon Buddhist Association. Tourists who come here from abroad must return with a sense of non-violence, peace and divinity from this peaceful stupa in Dhauli. Odisha is known as a peaceful state. Dhauli Stupa is a symbol of this peaceful attitude. Dhauli may be a harbinger of Buddhism but it has merged with the Odia language, culture and traditions to such an extent that the people of the state have accepted it as a part of their culture. Dhauli Shanti Stupa will be further developed and the surrounding area will be extensively improved. 

The Chief Minister said that there will be a coordinated plan for the development of all our heritage sites including Dhauli.

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