The Dhauli Shanti Stupa or the Peace Pagoda as it is known was built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in 1972. It is built upon the site where the battle between Ashoka and the Kalinga Empire is said to have been fought, in 261 BCE. br><br> The stupa stands on top of the Dhauli hill. The stupa is built on a circular platform, with a railing all around, and steps to access it on the east and the west. The lower reaches of the stupa are in the form of a cylinder. The cylinder is marked with four niches (in each of the cardinal directions) bearing images of the Buddha in preaching (west), sleeping (north), standing (east) and meditating (south) poses. Each of the niches have a broad panel in gold forming the lintel of the niche, with five square-profiled columns rising above the lintel. <br><br> The surface of the cylinder between these niches is split into three horizontal friezes, the lowest one with relief work in white, the middle one with relief carvings in ochre coloured stone, and the top one in white, again. Each of the quadrants between the two niches is divided into three vertical panels, giving thirty-six panels in all. <br> These panels depict scenes from the life of Buddha, as well as tales from the life of Ashoka. <br><br> Above these panels is a second, circular railing, which forms the base for the hemispherical dome above. The base of the dome is decorated with gold-gilded images of Buddha in various poses of meditation and preaching. The dome is topped with five umbrellas, the central, larger one rishing vertically, while the other four tilt away from central axis. <br><br> Dhaulagiri Stupa stands on a hill next to the meandering Daya River, on the way to Puri.