BARABAR CAVES

INTRODUCTION

TheBarabar Cavesare
the oldest survivingrock-
cut caves in India,mostly
dating from theMaurya
Empire(322185 BCE)
some withAshokan
inscriptions,located in
the Bela Ganj Block
ofGaya
district,Bihar,India.
 LOCATION
The Barabar
Caves are some
25Km north-east
of Gaya, in the
state of Bihar.
These caves are
situated in the
twin hills of
Barabar.
AVES AT BARABAR HILL
Barabar Hill contains
four caves, namely,
Karan Chaupar, SUDAMA cave
Lomas Rishi, Sudama
and Visva Zopri.
SudamaandLomas
Rishi Cavesare the
earliest examples of
rock-cut architecture
in India.
LOMAS RISHI CAVE
 Most caves at Barabar consist of two
chambers, carved entirely out
ofgranite, with a highly polished
internal surface and exciting echo
effect.
The first chamber was meant for
worshippers to congregate in a large
rectangular hall, and the second, a
small, circular, domed chamber for
PLAN
worship, this inner chamber probably
had a smallstupalike structure, at
some point.
 Lomas Rishi cave: The arch-like shape facade of Lomas
Rishi Caves, imitate the contemporary timber
architecture. On the doorway, a row of elephants proceed
towardsstupa emblems,along the curvedarchitrave.
Sudama cave: This cave was dedicated byMauryan
Emperor,Ashokain 261 BC. The arches of Sudama cave
are of bow shape.The caves consist of a circular vaulted
chamber with a rectangularmandapa.
Karan Chaupar(Karna Chaupar):Consists of single
rectangular room with polished surfaces, contains
inscription which could be dated to 245 BC.
Visva Zopri: Reachable byAshoka stepshewn in cliff,
consists of two rectangular rooms.

KARAN CHAUPAR VISVA ZOPRI

THANK YOU!!

-YASH SETHI
-VISHVAJEET
PAVITRAKAR
-ADTIYA PAWAR