Located on the Barabar Hills, Barbar is an archeological site in
Jehanabad District. It is 18 km north of
Gaya and 41 km from
Bodhgaya.
Erected during the reign of Ashoka, Barbar Caves date back to the third century. A unique feature is bow-shaped arches at the entrance.
Barabar consists of four caves including Lomas Rishi, Sudama, Karan Chopar (Nigoha-kubha or Banyan Tree Cave) and Vishva Zopari. These caves are stupendous in its architecture, and fall under three categories of caves such as Nagarjuniya caves, Pandava caves and cottage-shaped hut caves.
All these caves are carved out of huge rocks, and two of them are in the form of a plain rectangular outer hall. Besides, each cave carries Buddhist inscriptions and houses temples.
