Barabar Hills

25Kms from Gaya Town are the Barabar hills, which are famed for holding one of the oldest rock-cut architecture in India. The hills hold four ancient caves named Karan Chaupar, Lomas  Rishi, Sudhama and  Visva Zori. The caves are said to be built around 200 BC, during the reign the great Mauryan king the Asoka for the use of the Ajivika sages. According to the Hindu mythology, the great warrior of Mahabharata war, Ashwathama is said to be still wandering in the valleys of Barabar. He is said to become mortal with the grace of Lord Sidhnath aka Lord Shiva, whose temple can be seen on the top of the highest mountain of Barabar hills. Barabar, in the olden days, was famed as “KHALID PARWAT” or “Nagarjuni parwat”. Later, during Mahabhartha period, they came to be known as “Gorthagiri”. With due course of time, it came to be known as Banavar or Barabar. Vanasur, the Senapati of the king Jarasandh, had constructed a fort on the hills, the remains of which are even present today.