Daya River

{{Short description|River in India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}

{{more citations needed|date=July 2013}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Daya River

| native_name = {{native name|or|ଦୟା ନଦୀ}}

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| image = Kalinga battlefield daya river dhauli hills.jpg

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| image_caption = Banks of the River Daya, also the supposed battlefield of Kalinga War from atop Dhauli hills

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| subdivision_name1 = India

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| source1 = Kuakhai River

| source1_location = Odisha

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| mouth = Bay of Bengal and Chilka lake

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File:Mahanadi-Koyakhai distributray system.jpg Koyakhai distributary system in Odisha, India draining into Bay of Bengal and Chilka lake. Picture not drawn to scale]]

The Daya River starts as a branch of the Kuakhai River at Saradeipur (near Badahati) in Odisha state in India. It is joined by the Malaguni River below Golabai and flows through Khordha and Puri districts before emptying into the north-eastern corner of Chilika Lake, {{convert|37|km|mi}} from its origin.{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Daya-River-36455.htm|title=Daya River|year=2005|work=India |publisher=Online Highways LLC.|access-date=2008-12-23}}

The historically important Dhauli hill is located on the banks of the Daya River, {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} south of Bhubaneswar. It is a hill with vast open space adjoining it, and has major edicts of Ashoka engraved on a mass of rock, by the side of the road leading to the summit of the hill. Dhauli hill is presumed to be the area where Kalinga War was fought.{{Cite book |last=Kainiraka |first=Sanu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1LJqCwAAQBAJ |title=From Indus to Independence - A Trek Through Indian History: Vol I Prehistory to the Fall of the Mauryas |date=2016-03-01 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-85563-14-0 |language=en}}