HIRANYA PARWAT

HIRANYA   PARWAT  BIHARSHARIF

Continent-Asia 

Country-India
State –Bihar
District-Nalanda         
APPROACH- The  site  is  located  in  proper  Biharsharif  township. It  is  connected  by  road  as  well  as  railways  by  rest  of  the  country
Language,Lodging, Food,Drink ,and  Local Transport . q.v. Biharhsarif.
ABOUT  THE  SITE-The  site  is  a  recommended  tourist  place  in  offing It  is  a  quartzite  hill  about   300  to  400’ high. There  are  seven  water  falls  on  the  hill. Three   stream  falls  are  perennial and  rest  are  seasonal i.e.  They  are  charged by  rainfalls    in  rainy  season  and  stream flow  is  continued  up  to start  of  summer  season. There  is  a  school  and  a  cold  storage  on  the  hill.
3 CREMATORY  AND  TOMB—It  is  also  called  BARI  PAHARI  and  a  crematory  is  there  with  a  tomb  of  sufi  saint  MAKHDUM  SHAH  SURFUDIN  known  as  Bari  Dargah  on  the  hill  slope
4  HARBAL  PLANT- Herbal Plants    are  found  on  this  hill  which  are  used  in  many  types  of  Ayurvedic  and  Unani  medicines  for  curing  various  diseasea. It  is  said  that  few  parts  of  rockmass  of  Sanjiwani  pahar  fall down   over  this  hill,(like  Pilka  pahar  in  MP.)
While  being  carried  by  Hanuman  from  the  Himalayas  to  Sri  Lanka  for  treatment  and  cure  of  Lakshman.

5.HANUMAN  TEMPLE—There  is  one  Hanuman  temple  on  the  hill.    

Kauadol Mountain, Gaya Bihar

KAUADOL   PAHAR ( Mountain)    25: 5’::84:5’

Country--India 

State--Bihar 

Dist--Gaya 

Distance from the contry capital Delhi—1081km 

Distance from the state capital Patna - 66km       

Pin code—804403(Belaganj)

 Std code 0631(Gaya)           

HASL - 1000’                            

River -  Falgu                   

APPROACH__The site has approach by railways  as well as roadways, One has to reach Belaganj railway station on Patna- Gaya rail line and then move about 6km east.There are other option like hired conveyance to reach the site.

LANGUAGE_Hindi and Magahi

LODGING__Motel and lodges and resthouse Shade sat Belaganj

FOOD__Rice,chapati, puri, sabji, chokha, bhunjia, jalebi, Etc.

DRINK__Soft drinking wateris available through dugwell and tubewell.Bottled and packed soft and hard drinks can be had at Belaganj

ABOUT THE SITE_The site is complete hillock of granite rock. Spheroidal weathering has given it a domal shape. Above it in the central portion nature has kept thin pillar shaped rock. This looks like big nail or pole from distance or the bottom of the hill.Which gives overall look of a Budhistastup’. Local say goes like that if a crow  sits over the top most pillar of the hill it will start oscillating. So the name Kaua(crow}dol (movement). Reminiscences of ashram of professor Shilvadra is in east of the Hillock. A  very big statue of Lord Budha 8’ high 6’wide 4’ thick is Seen in padmasan sitting pose. Dilapidated statue of Goddess Durga is also seen in tourist foot movement periphery. Archaeologically and historically it is concluded that it was built by dynasty of Mokhry kings.

REMARK__It is good site to be enjoyed by state school students. So, the state tourism department should pay attention to it.

KAKOLAT WATER FALL- Nawada , Bihar

KAKOLAT WATER FALL 24:53::85:35”

Continent Asia

Country India

State Bihar

District Nawada

Distance fromn the national capital Delhi-1150km

Distance from the state capital Patna 115km

Pin Code-805110

STD Code -6324

HASL 1500

River-Kakolat

Approach over the location-The site located 25km SE of Nawada is connected by roadways only from the rest of the country .

Language Hindi and Magahi

Lodging –There are a few rest shelters in hutment at the site arranged by local busines men and traders who will arrange for food also on payment. An improved arrangement can be had at Govindpur blockBetter lodging suitable for middle class is available at Nawada.

Food-Being a picnick and tourist spot food stuff like rice pulse sabji,etc are available by local traders in limited quantity and limited time

Drink-Sweet water is available through lift motor pumps and pipes from the fall water itself.Other soft drinks like Pepsi, Coka-Cola are also available in limited

quantity

Local transport-Only afew tme bound buses up to block level run from Nawada are availableOwn arrangement of reserve car or reserved auto is advisable.

ABOUT THE SITE –The site is a water fall with a nearly vertical drop of about 150 “Width of the fall is also more than 40”In the central portion the girth of the water drop is thicker which thins out towards the side ends . The beauty of the site is that it is well maintained and with cement platform and tank like and house like structure , which looks like a swiming pool . It is well baricated by steel pipe poles and iron chain.The hill which houses the fall is called LohdandParwat. It is 160 “ from the GL.The thick forest which cause its origin is called Kamyakban.

MYTHOLOGICAL and PURAN---The site finds mention in the Ban par

wa of Mahabharat and Markandey Puran. The place is also attributed to Mahasati Madalsa of Magadh kingdom

OTHER NEAR ABOUT SITE—1 Ekhara It is about 2 km South West of Kakolat Artifacts made of stone like sword , dhal chopper, Jata(wheat grinder)Okhal etc are found here,which indicate existence of flourishing of civilization of the stone age at this place ,adding along chapter for Anthropological study

Precaution –General precaution,naxal affected area.

Guide—District information office may be contacted

Shopping –Small handicraft of stone and Wood ,specially toys and smll pots by the local people are attraction for purchase.

Tour package –Generally not available.

Remarks—There is very good prospect of health resort provided approach road is better maintained.

BHIMBANDH - Jamui Bihar

BHIM BANDH 25:07’:: 86 15’

Lakshmipur Jamui

Continent—Asia

Country—India

State---Bihar

Distance from the country capital Delhi –1087km.

Distance from the state capital Patna—150km

Pin code-811307

STD Code—6345.

HASL 326’

River—Dadua

Approach over the location----56 km from Munger, 20 km from Jamui Railway Station and 200 km from Patna Airport. The site is 15 km away from Lakshmipore block in Jamui district which is about 22km from Jamui. Jamui lies on main railway line from Delhi to Howrha, connecting the site from rest of the country.

Language—Hindi and Magahi Lodging---Rest house and dakbunglow at site. Dakbunglow at Lakshmipore Middle class hotels and inspection bunglows at Jamui

Food----Indian style rice pulse sabjee with veg and non veg preparation with snacks and sweets available at Lakshmipore , but not at site.

Drink –Sweet water is available for drinking purposes at the site from stream flows at the normal temp.

Local transport –There is nothing like local transport on the site . One has to arrange their own transport or hire a cycle rickshaw or reserve an auto rickshaw or jeep from 15 kms away from Lakshmipore

ABOUT THE SITE---While during Mahabharat period, after being defeated by Kaurvas in chaupad / chess the Pandvas had to live in unknown places and in disguise at several places in jungle .This site Bhimbandh is one of such places. There are big stone slabs near hot spring stream.It appears as if somebody has kept these slabs to cross the stream.But hear say is that Pandawas while in disguised period helped the villagers by damming a stream which was flowing with high velocity. Bhim being physically most capable the dam was named after his name.These stone slabs are remnant of the same dam. Presently it is known for its hot spring It was called green forest in 7^th century AD. as mentioned by Huensang in his tour diary. It is situated between the Kharagpur hills of Munger and hills of Jamui The Kharagpur hills have been notified as Bhimbhandh forest life sanctuary since 1976.The site under mention has hot springs at 6 places,namely

• 1 Bhimbandh
• 2 Rishi kund
• 3 Rameshwar kund
• 4 Sringi rishi kund
• 5 Hingania and
• 6 Bharari stream

Out of these Bhimbandh has display of hottest tempratures from 55 to 72 centigrade To ease the difficulty of tourists for taking hot water bath three tanks have been constructed to get the water warmer and cooler .These tanks hav been named Gandhi, Manas and Bhim sarovar.

Another warm water stream worth taking bath in natural state is in near by area called Rajaindhara. There is a temple of lord Shiva to satisfy the religious need of visitors. Ahead but nearby the temple in NE corner several hot springs are seen coming out from orifices in the earth attracts the tourists to visit the area twice .

Other sites –

1. Sawa lakh baba is another site between Lakshmipore and Bhimbandh. A deity who is worshiped by local Kora,Rai,and Khaira,Naia,Hansda, Hembram and Murmu etc scheduled tribes

2. Morbana hill—National bird peacock is seen here in open field

3. Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary -One can see here birds coming out from their eggs Thirsty animals drinking water by the side of the fountain. They may be Leopard,Bear,Sambher,Dear,Fox,Monkey,Rabbit,Crocodile,Cobra,Forest hen etc.

Visiting period and festivity—Suitable visiting period is from 15^th oct to 28thFeb. Festivities are on 1^st January for picnic and hot water bath by local and other distant visitor.

Precaution—Naxal and Malaria affected area

Guide—District information office may be contacted

Remarks--- It has potential to grow up as health resort provided law and order is improved

BOUNSI - MANDAR HILL : Banka , Bihar

MANDAR HILL - BOUNSI ( Balisa Nagar) 24:45”::87:05”

Continent –Asia.

Country—India

State—Bihar

District—Banka

Distance from country capital Delhi—1320 km

Distance from the state capital Patna—295 km

Pin code 813104

STD code –6424 (Banka)

HASL—1700”

River—Chandan.

Approach—The site is a terminal station of BHAGALPUR—MANDAR HILL railway line.It can be approached by road by buses running between Bhagalpur and Hasdiha.

Language-Hindi and Angika

Lodging – Stay places like small hotel Dharamsala and Inspection bungalow

etc are available

Food- Continental style rice pulse sabjee with maithil style Chura and Dahi are easily met with with varity of other preparations.

Drink—Sweet water is available for drinking purposes along with other bottled

and branded drinks.

Local Transport- Auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are main local conveyance.

About the site---The site is important from religious as well as geographical point of view. As imagined in the hindu religion philosophy originally this place was part of sea and this was the place where Lord Vishnu used to rest under the sea on the floating bed of Sheshnag. As the story goes in Markandey Puran or Durga sapt sati.Two demons Madhu and Katav were born out of ear . Now this place is of pilgrimage and worship..

Another case of mythological or pauranic story is the physical presence of Vishnu. These demons started harassing Brahama and other gods.They all went to Vishnu and prayed for destruction of Madhu and Katav .There was no difficulty in winning over to Katav. But Madhu was magic wizard who even after getting his neck cut used to harass smaller gods.

So lord Vishnu meditated to call a hill body called Mandar hill. After martially defeating Madhu the lord pressed his body with Mandar hill.Thus he became “Madhusudan” and Mandar hill near Baunsi bec of a big conch (Sankh) in a tank on the geographical profile on top of the Mandar hill. Although king Bali belonged to demon dynasty but his nature and behaviour were good to others . His bravery and alms donation were loved by the supreme god too. As religious stories go deities of human be-

ing becomes envious to such persons.So became the case with king Bali He

was instigated with the idea of becoming immortal like deities by drinking nectar which will come out of sea after churning these a Brave but simple demon king was convinced with cheating idea of deities . It was decided Bali will drink nectar to become immortal and other gems and valuables will be taken and distributed among deities . Mandarachal hill was only hill at that time suitable to churn the sea up to the bottom .So both the parties went there and tried to uproot it and bring it into the sea for that purpose.But they utterly failed, what to say of uprooting. They could not even got it displaced for a length of needle point.Then both the parties jointly prayed Lord Vishnu to fulfil their desire.Then almighty”s driver egale (Garur) of the chariot of almighty was sent to Mandar . It got the hill on his seat and brought it to the sea. Similarly snake Basuki was made rope .It was caught in one side by the deities on one side end by demons Thus by to and fro movements of both the parties the churning of the sea was done .As such following fourteen gems were found , namely

• Kamdhenu cow
• Uchaisharwa horse
• Erawat elephant
• Kaustiuve money
• Kalpadrum
• Rambha apsara
• Varuni virgin
• Parijat tree
• Moon
• Lakshmi
• Wine
• Nectar
• Poison
• Conch

Agglomeratic amigdoidal and conglomeratic depositional interface of geological stratification is seen around Mandar hill. It is told that it is marking of the ventral portion of the Basuki nag(snake) Nectar was not given to the demon king .Poison was taken by lord Shiva up to his neck through the conch which is still lying on the top of the Mandar hill. So it became blue and his name” Neel kanth”

Kaustuve money and Lakshmi was taken by Vishnu himself .

Moon was seated on the head hair of Shiva. Rambha and Varuni were taken by Indra Similarly other articles were taken by other gods according to their rank and strength. As per desire of Mandar hill Lord Vishnu got seated the Mandar hill top in form of Madhusudan Mention of this story comes in Vishnu puran and Bhagwat puran and the Mahabharat------

Mandaram shikharam dristwa ; Dristwa wa Madhusudanam .

Kamdhenu Mukhan drstwa ‘ Punar janm na Vidyate .

And

Chir –Chandanya madhe , Mandaro nam parwate, Tasya Rohan matrna,

Naro narayna bhawet (Vishnu puran)

Chiptwa Shirodadhan sarwa birutirn Tausadhi,

Mamtheram Mandaram kritwa netramkritwa Basuteim.Simadad Bhagawat Asthan (Bhagwat 6^th chapter)

RECENT HISTORICAL ASPECT--------An Afgan sardar Daud khan was ruler of Bengal in 1573 AD His chief commandant was Kala pahar a hindu convert.Kalapahar started harming and demolishing hindu religious places. Religious places of Barisnagar now Baunsi were also demolished between 1573 and 1600. There were about 26 temples on the Mandar hill.The remnants of these are still seen.

According to Yudh puran –There was a city near Mandar hill. Older stor

ies and folk songs mention that about 2200 years before there was a big city near Mandar. It had 88 ponds,53 roads and 52 markets. This city not other than Balish nagar with lapses of time now known as Baunsi.

As per mention in historical and pre historical literature and imagination there on out of numerous remnant ponds of Barish nagar now Baunsi most important is thePushkarani or Papharni pond situated in southern basal hill slope of Mandar hill. According to Rakhal Das Banerjee historian and archeologist this tank was built by wife of king Aditya Sen named Kon Devi.in 7^th A.D. The easiest way to rise over the hill is from near this pond. Steps have been made by breaking and carving the stones. It was during the time of some budhist king named Ugra bhairo as per the stone inscriptions there.The height of the hill is 700’ from the ground level.It is spread over in a radius of 2km area. Encircled by Ajgaibinath in north, Jathoranath in west and Baba baid nath in south it is call

ed triling region. The hill seen from a distance from west to east the blakish profile of the hill provides 7 steps of plateau like rock masses rising from basal platform to the topmost peak , where it is seen standing vertically as single mass of granitic rock at an angle of about 45 degree from the ground rising over the hill through the stone carved steps tourists, visitors or worshipers come across

1. Eight handed Headless Kali or Durga statue
2. Ahead of this is a statue of Sun on a sun pillar
3. Rising above it is three mouth Maha kal bhairo ten hand big statue
4. Rising above there is a statue of lord Ganesh.
5. Rising above is found a small statue of Sarswati
6. Inscripted stone slabs---It is near the statue of Kal Bhairo by side of the rising steps .Each line of the script is 3”long
7. A Plaw(Hal ) sign on the top of the Sarswati statue is supposed to be of Balrram instrument of fight besides learning with agriculture.
8. Two amigdoidal structure of rocks of about 1.5”in length. It is few feet ahead of the statue of Sarswati and is supposed to be print venntral part of snake Basuki after churning of the ocean.
9. Trisira temple Rising ahead is remnants of few temples and a broken statue of three headed Mahakal vairo locally called and trisira (three head) temple
10. Sita kund –Taking further rise the ridding slope takes aturn an angle of about 38 degree and the rise is more vertical. Two inscriptions of rocks are met with here .They are in four lines and clear.Their mention in the book “Corpus Inscriptus Indicaram Vol 111 by sri J F Float is met with This region is above the waist (Kati Prades)of the hill or half rise i .e about 300”After scaling the height and reaching over the flatter region big tank is seen which is called SitaKund . It is said that some times in pre-historic time Sita ji took bath in this pond while on to
11. ur to Mandar hill.
12. Engraved statue of lord Vishnu with Lakshmi on foot press and resting on snake bed and snake hood cover is seen on the right bank of of Sita kund. Indicating progressive stone art in prehistoric time
13. Gaya kund---Ahead of Sita kund and by the side of the foot path there is another pond called Gaya kund It is said that Sri Ram Chandra did shradh ceremony of his ancestors here. Besides it there are remnant of few demolished buildings.
14. Narsigh store –Ithas ever burning havankund
15. Statue of head of demon Madhu—Moving ahead towards Narsingh cave a big statue of head is found behind a tree which is called statue of demon Madhu
16. Narsingh cave—By the side of this one has to enter a tunnel in which bright shining on a stone is seen on a stone platform is the sign of god Narsingh.
17. Patal kund---Rising ahead above on the steps through the cave a tunnel like water reservoir is met with which has unending bottom. So this is called Patal kund .
18. Sankh kund—(Conch pond)—Rising above this a pond is met with in shape of a conch sankh or mollusk. There is a big stone cut conch at the bottom The weight of the conch is about 600 maunds ie about 6225 kg . During the dry spell of 1920-25and 1985 when the pond got completely dried the gigantic conch was seen by the people. It said that Lord Shiva took the halahal poison received by churning the sea by this conch keeping the effect upto his neck causing neck becoming blue and his one name becoming Nil kanth. It is also conjectured that it may be the conch of Lord Vishnu which is called Panch janya conch.
19. Kamakhya Yoni kund—This kund happens to be situated on one of the two ways for scaling further more height of the hill. It is a slot of about 5’ diameter. This is always covered by vermilion flower and akhat(rice). Saints say that meditation for sidhi of Kamakhya is done here by the devotees . It is also said that sri Ram Chandra ji also stayed near by this place when he came to visit Mandar
20. Two statues of Bajrang bali—On rising ahead on way is seen one big and one small statues of Hanuman is seen with vermilion cot .
21. Yagya shala—After crossing jungle and rising bit above a Ygya sala is met
22. Cave of Sukdeo muni –It is situated south of Ygya sala on difficult rising route Entry into the cave gives peculiar type of filling.
23. Statue of Kaliyug – There was statue of Kaliyug here (Dr Choudhary Mandar paricharcha1956) which was hit by stone by every visitor
24. Ram jharokha(window)It is situated on rise ahead in agnicone (SE) A full platform like celing is called Ram jharokha or the window of Ram
25. Vishnu’s foot print –It is a stone slab as studied and described by Buchanan it has foot print of lord Vishnu
26. Temple of Lakshmi and Sarswati with their foot prints –These are by the side of Ram jharokha on top of the hill.

Other site ---

• Madhusudan temple of Baunsi - It was built by a land lord Rup Narayan Deo in 18^th century AD . The statue of lord Madhusudan or Vishnu which was formerly on the top of the hill is now established in this temple in Pathak tola of the town. It was perhaps done after the destruction works done by Kalapahar
• Mandar Vidyapith –It is situated in the eastern side of the foot hill of the Mandar hill
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Stay platform –It is also situated near Vidyapith. It is said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu while on way to Gaya in 1505 was indisposed and stayed here for three days and got cured. There is a marble plate inscribed like --Kalabya SarsunyaSatre Nigme, Mandar Namachale Sri Chaitanye Dayanidhe:Padyugm Bhakt Charchitam Sambhawe
• Remains of Lakh Dipa temple—It is in north of the Vidyapith It still preserves signs of hundreds of wall cavities for burning lamps(diya)
• Kapila Cow –A stone statue of cow and calf is near by it
• Nath temple –A stone temple of Shiv and Vishnu with few big rooms . Now property of Mandar Vidyapith
• Another Madhusudan Mathh –At the time of rath yatra lord Madhusudan is brought on elephant and after taking bath in the puskarni kund He is worshiped at this mathh .

FESTIVE SEASON AND VISITING PERIOD—Makar Sankratri,Rath yatra, Janmastmi and Durga puja are main festive periods to enjoy the visit. But one can easily reach here preferably in winter season and enjoy the occult pilgrimage.

But on the occasion of Makar sankrantri Fair one can enjoy eating Ladua (a local Sweet prepared with combination of powder of wheat and rice) lassi and khichree.

Precaution—General precaution of travelling on hilly terrain has to be taken. Besides it the area is partially affected by naxalites

Guide---District tourism and information office may be contacted.

Shopping---Sweets, stone and wooden articles of decoration and domestic use are available in Makar fair

Currency—Rupee is main currency

Remarks for future prospect—Being situated on state highway connecting Bihar and Jharkhand and on line with path way to Baidyanathdham( Deoghar) the area has enormous prospects of future development.

BABA Bateshwar Asthan : Bhagalpur ,Bihar

BABA Bateshwar Asthan

Kahalgawn is about 33 kms far from Bhagalpur and Bateshwar asthan is further 10 km i.e. it is 43 kms from Bhagalpur. Flow of the Ganges is northerly here also so this place becomes religiously important. It is an isolated hilly area known as Bateshwar hill which is a part of Raj mahal system of trappean rocks. There are two temples of lord shiva. The temple on the bank of the Ganges is on a spheroidal block of hilly rock. This is called Bridheshwar nath or Burha baba Second temple. It is about 150 metres up slope on eastern side on the hill top. It is called Bateshwar nath or Madeshwar nath.

Mythology goes that the area was developed by Buddhist saint teacher and professor Kampilya, who mastered the art of meditation in Mahamundtri from the Nalanda university.

Another mythology goes that the area was ruled by rude administrator Vakul and Vikram He did not like salvation preaches of lord Budha So lord Budha on his retirement stay during one rainy season destroyed them on the rocks of Bateshwar. So the name Vikram shila.The place where Kali is in front of shivling is most suited for Tantra sadhna. This is also called place of 84 confirmed tantric -meditators,(chorasi sidho ki pith) Many saints are seen meditating before Kali temple at present also. Status of 84 medit-ating saint are seen encarved on the hills of Bateshwar asthan .The size of the stone block on which these statues have been made is 50’x 5’. They used to meditate in the cave and the tunnel whichare stil reserved in the hill. They are

1. Tri gufi--- West of thakurbari hill near the bank of the Ganges

2. Basibt meditation center near bateshwar temple.

3. Patalpuri cave—In the North West side of the hill, it is the biggest of all the caves.

Archiologist have found a statue of Bhairawi which has four eyes and twelve hands.Is made of eight metals(ast dhatu) It is preserved in Indian museum at Kolkata. Figures and sketches of Ramayan and Mahabharat are also seen engraved on different stone blocks of the hill.Many ful l size statues and partial statues of lord Vishnu ,Nagkanya and Budha can seen .A beautiful statue of the Sun God is also worshiped in the temple .

Naga baba temle is another attraction of the site.

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.