Barabar Caves
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The Barabar and Nagarjuni hills where Barabar Caves lie are 41 kms from Bodhgaya at main Gaya-Patna road. These historical hills houses seven rock-cut caves, 4 of which are in the Barabar hills. These caves dating back to the third century, narrates details of the life of Buddha were carved out from solid rocks. Barabar Hills is valuable because they are famous world wide for four rock cut caves. These caves were constructed under the support of Emperor Ashoka for the Ajivikas.
The caves consist of temples and sanctuaries hacked out of huge granite projections. Their interior surfaces are extraordinarily smooth, and some are believed to have served as retreats for Jain monks. Made in influence of ordinary huts, the Barabar Caves are designed to look as if they're made of wood. The frontage of the Lomas Rishi cave, which is sculpted to look like lattice screens, is the first available example of famous Buddhist Chaitya arch style in India.
On the southern facade of Barabar hill lays the most primitive cave shrine known as the Sudama cave, historically known as Nigoha-kubha or Banyan tree cave. Sudama cave, excavated in the 12th regal year of Ashok (2 B.C) is a two- chamber structure and the interior surface of the cave is polished to a high degree and gives an impression of a layer of glass laid on stone. Other caves are also very significant for Buddhist pilgrims. These caves were constructed some where in the 3rd century B.C and are excellent examples of the skill, which the Indian mason had achieved at that time. These caves are thought to be of Mauryan period and considered to be the derivation of Indian cave architecture.
The Barabar Hills Caves is very fine excursion for people on tour of Buddhist Site of Gaya.
