BARABAR Caves Gaya , Bihar

BARABAR PAHAR / CAVES / HILL 25 2’ 21”:: 85 2’30”

Continent---Asia.

Country—India

State—Bihar

District—Jahanabad

2515’:; : 84 58’(Bela 2455’: :84 55’)

Distance from Patna-65 km.

Distance from country capital Delhi—1050 km

APPROACH over the location—The site can be approached by

rail from Gaya to Bela or Makhdupur , From there one can reach the site bytravelling 10 kms on road by own vehicle or hired conveyance.

Local language-Hindi and Magahi.

Stay—There is arrangement of stay at site in government rest house

Food-Lunch and dinner may not be available suitable to the visitors except snacks and tea. So own arrangement has to be

made for this.The Indian style rice pulse subji litti etc may be had at Bela. Local shops would generally short services. Govt rest house would provide food, if booked and required.

DRINK—Sweet water is availab for drinking purposes. Soft drink like Pepsi and Cocacola Satu drink,Cane juice etc are available as per season .Among the hard drink English bear etc on limited scale.

Local transport—Services of only time bound mini buses and Jeep trackers along with horse cart like Tam-tam and Eckkas can be availed from Makhdumpur and Bela.

About the site—There is much to see and enjoy . As the name indicates Barabar pahar is a hilly spot with green vegetation and different rock structures to sooth the eyes. Patalganga falling water fountain and its pond(kund) is to be seen and enjoyed, Sidheswar nath temple of Lord Shiva is on the up slope of where water of patal ganga is poured by devotees and worshipers .

There are seven caves in the foot hill .They are called satgharwas . Lomas rishi (saint) narrator of Ramayan like Kak bhusundi lived here. Figures of elephant can be seen carved on the celing of caves.

One cave is called Sudama cave .Opposite to this is a cave 10’ high and 33’long . CIt is called Karn kijhopri. Its wallets are 6’ wide. Anotherbigger cave is called duniakachat. Satgharwa caves cover an area of 500x170’ . Emperor Ashoka modified and maintained these caves for dweling and meditation of saints, sadhus and rishis.Vaidachic andVapyachic caves were built by Dasrath eldest son of Ashoka in 237 AD.Nagarjun hill is 1km east of Barabar pahar.

Hematite and Magnetite iron ore rich rocks are found here. Iscription on stones inBrahmi and Pali language of Budhist period are also seen near the caves.

A children park is also there to entertain the visitors, especially children.

Mythological-It was capital town of Banasur , King of Magagh in Mahabharat time.With lapse of time Banabar pahar became Barabar pahar .

Nearest river- Falgu river.

Height above sea level-1023’.

Other near about site—Vishnupad temple and other sites at Gaya.

Visiting period—Being conneced by pucca and pitch road the site can be visited in all twelve months of the year. However, dry periods from October to April is suitable and advisable.

Precaution—Naxal affected area.

Guide—District information office and tourist information office may be contacted.

Package tour—Available local tour agencies at Patna and Gaya.

Remarks for future prospect—With rich establishment of natural, historical, and archaeological resources and good connectivity the area has good future prospect.