Kalinga War And Dhauli Light And Sound Show #AToZChallenge

Odisha was called Kalinga in ancient times. 

Kalinga had a thriving maritime trade with neighbouring countries. Kalinga had important ports and was an overseas power. Kalinga had established colonies in Burma, Philippines and other lands.
Kalinga witnessed wars, the most famous one being the Kalinga War.

Kalinga was not under the Mauryan empire.The war of Magadha (Mauryan Empire) with Kalinga was due to "political and economic reasons". Territorial expansion and political prestige triggered the interest of the Mauryan empire. 
The Kalinga War was fought by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC.

Kalinga was not under the Mauryan Empire before the Kalinga War; Source

Ashoka earned victory after a lot of bloodshed; one hundred thousand soldiers were killed in the battle.
The battlefield of the Kalinga War killed so many people that, it is said, the River Daya's water turned red (with blood of the slain soldiers). 
The word 'Daya' means kindness/compassion. 

How did Emperor Ashoka learn compassion? What brought about the transformation?
There is a story about the Kalinga War:
After the Kalinga War, when the jubilant Emperor was doing the rounds and found an old woman weeping, he asked her not to cry and proudly claimed that he would give her anything she wanted. 
The old woman asked him to bring her son and husband back to life.
Ashoka then realized the value of his win that couldn't fulfill wishes...

Kalinga War impacted Ashoka to such an extent that he recorded 'Edicts' as his response.

Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Priyadarsi, conquered the Kalingas eight years after his coronation. One hundred and fifty thousand were deported, one hundred thousand were killed and many more died (from other causes). After the Kalingas had been conquered, Beloved-of-the-Gods came to feel a strong inclination towards the Dharma, a love for the Dharma and for instruction in Dharma. Now Beloved-of-the-Gods feels deep remorse for having conquered the Kalingas.

         — Emperor Ashoka, Rock Edict No. 13
             
The Kalinga War transformed Emperor Ashoka to a peace-lover, who devoted the rest of his life Buddhism. He sent delegations to different nations to spread Buddhism.

The exact site of the Kalinga War is unknown. But, as per the red River Daya story, the area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar seems to be the place. The Shanti Stupa/Peace Pagoda/Dhauli near Bhubaneswar reminds everyone of the Kalinga War and the peace that followed...

The Dhauli Light And Sound Show narrates the glory of the Kalinga empire and the terrible Kalinga War and its aftermath. The audience watches history unfold as state-of-the art projectors beam laser rays creating 3D scenes on the surface of the Peace Pagoda. The show informs how the Kalinga War transformed Emperor Ashoka from evil and blood-thirsty to humane and peace-lover i.e. from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka. 

Details of the Dhauli Light And Sound Show 

Timing
The 35 minutes show is aired every evening (excluding Monday evenings) from 7-7:35 PM.
Thereafter, subject to at least 20 members in the audience, there is another show from 7:45-8.20 PM. 
Language
The first show is in Hindi language.
For the second show, the language can be Hindi, Odia or English based on the audience choice. 
Ticket Price
The ticket price is a very reasonable Rs 25 per head.

If you are in Bhubaneswar, you must definitely visit Dhauli and witness the Kalinga War in the Dhauli Light And Sound Show.

Post for my second #atozchallenge. W for War.

My Theme is- "Odisha- The Soul of Incredible India".
Odisha is a state in the eastern part of India. Have you visited Odisha and India? 

I am sharing some glimpses from Odisha. Do keep reading and discovering!