The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription.

[2][3] It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela.

[5] The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena or leṇa in the inscriptions, these were taken out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jain ascetics.

[7] B. M. Barua, based on a reading of line 14 of the Hathi Gumpha inscription, declared that a total of 117 caves were excavated by Kharavela and others on the Kumari hill (Udayagiri).

[9] The local names of the existing caves are listed below, numbered according to the enumeration of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The upper portion of the central wing has relief images depicting the victory march of a king.

The area that connects the central wing with right and left wings have some panels where the sculptures of wild animals, fruit-laden trees, human figures, women playing musical instruments, monkeys and playful elephants are found.

The pilasters contain the torana (arches) decorated with sculptures of Jain religious importance and royal scenes.

The cave has a carving of a female wearing heavy earrings, bands, beautifully decorated hair.

Manchapuri cave depicts two male and two female figures worshipping the Kalinga Jina that Kharval brought back from Magadha.

The carvings in this cave narrate the story of the elopement of Bassavadatta, Princess of Ujjayini, with King Udayana of Kausambi in the company of Vasantaka.

Hati Gumpha is a large natural cavern[17] with an inscription by Kharavela which is the main source of information about him.

[24] Dhanaghara Gumpha is a small cave that has two wide pillars and dwara pala sculptures carved at the entrance.

The Hathigumpha inscription starts with a version of the auspicious Jain Namokar Mantra venerating Arihant and Siddhas for in Jainism.

The inscription also refers to the Kharaval's feat of bringing back the status of Agra-Jina (transl.

Sadananda Agrawal has given further clarifications about them and is produced as under:[30] I- Mancapuri cave inscription (Upper storey) This inscription refers to the construction of temple of arhats and excavation of cave for Jain monks by Aga-mahisi, chief queen of Kharavela.

The text in Devanagari script is as under: ऐरस महाराजस कलिंगाधिपतिना महामेघवाहनस कुदेपसिरिनो लेणं Translation – This is the cave of Aira Mahameghavahana Maharaja Kudepasiri, the overlord of Kalinga.

Note:- However Dr. Sahu interpreted Ajeya as being united by a Sandhi qualifying Koṭha thereby denoting invincible.

Chūlakamma – found in the inscription No.IV and Kamma of this record indicates official designations rather than the proper names.

Notes:- There is a syllable after the word lenam, which may be read as ni or phi, padamulika literally means, one who serves at the feet [of king].

Note:- Sadananda Agrawal has interpreted Masikanagara as Asikanagara and identified with the city Adam (Nagpur district).

It is worth noting in the present context that a terracotta sealing having a legend, has been discovered from Adam,[32] situated on the right bank of the river Wainganga, which reads Asakajanapadasa (Devanagari: असकजनपदस).

XI- Ananta Gumpha inscription (A) The record is incised on the architrave between the left ante and the fifth pillar.

The text in Oriya script is: Odia: ଦୋହଦ ସମଣନ ଲେଖ (Devanagari: दोहद समणनं लेणं Translation: The cave of the Dohada Śramaṇas.

[33] The cave is decorated with sculptural friezes like nayikas, gandhrvas, different animals and birds, chaitya arch, pilaster design, rafters and vaulted roof.

Navamuni Gumpha is a roughly cut cell with the sculptures of nine Jain Tirthankaras and Sasana Devis.

[4][36] There are altogether twenty five figures of Tirthankaras on the walls of the cell on three sides,[4] Parsvanatha being repeated twice.