The Barabar caves date back to 250 BC. They were carved in granite hills.
An inscription reads that it was built “By King Priyadarsin, in the 12th year of his reign, this cave of Banyans was offered to the Ajivikas.“
The crocodile shaped hill which houses three caves. The Sudama and the Lomas Rishi cave next to it are the oldest surviving rock cut caves in India dating back to Emperor Ashoka.
The caves are so well polished that as you can see my reflection on the cave (and it’s dark inside) is so clear. They are a technical feat and the flat and polished granite surfaces, create a mirror effect.
My granite kitchen slabs don’t shine as much as these 2500 year old cave surfaces do.
Of course vandalism has meant that some people tried to scratch it to see what’s underneath
The drawing of a horse. There are in fact quite a few horses drawn here but I could capture only one clearly because of the darkness inside.
Another feature of the cave is the echo. My guide Rakesh Kumar was chanting Buddhist hymns inside the inner cave and it gave me goosebumps.
Inside the meditation cave the sounds were amplifying the vibrations and I could just imagine the monks chanting there.
It’s a tribute to man’s endeavor and dedication and skill.
Near district Gaya, Bihar
