Why to visit Barabar Caves
The Barabar Caves are a collection of seven rock-cut caves located on the twin peaks of Barabar and Nagarjuni that date back to the Maurya dynasty in the 3rd century BC.
These rock-cut chambers include dedicatory inscriptions that state that King Ashoka entrusted the four caverns on Barabar hill to Ajivika monks in 261 BC. Another inscription on the Nagarjuni hill belongs to King Ashoka's grandson, Dasaratha Maurya, and it states that the Ajivikas enjoyed imperial Mauryan favour for a long time.
Each cave is carved in granite and has two chambers with highly polished surfaces. None of the caves have sculptures or embellishments. The Barabar caverns are also famed for their architecture, and these are the caves where the Chaitya Arch caves were first seen in stone. The caves were built during the Mauryan era, which lasted from 322 to 185 BC, according to the inscriptions unearthed here. In 261 BC, King Ashoka granted the four caverns on Barabar hill to Ajivika monks, according to an inscription in the Sudama cave.
Patna and Gaya are the closest airports at this location. Banavar Halt is the closest railway station. It is also accessible via road from Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, and Arwal. It is located 25 kilometres south of Jehanabad.
