Barabar Caves, Ancient rock-cut cave complex in Jehanabad district, India
Barabar Caves is a complex of chambers carved into the granite walls of several hills in Jehanabad district. The walls are polished so smooth that they reflect like mirrors and produce a particular sound when touched.
The Maurya emperor Ashoka commissioned the site in the 3rd century BCE for ascetics of the Ajivika sect. Later rulers expanded the ensemble with additional caves in the nearby hills.
The Lomas Rishi entrance displays a curved archway that became a model for later rock sanctuaries across the country. Visitors can hear their own voice echo off the smooth interior surfaces, which made the site a space for meditation in earlier times.
The site lies roughly 24 kilometers north of Gaya and is best reached by private vehicle. Sturdy footwear is important because the paths leading to individual chambers pass over uneven terrain.
The polishing technique from the Maurya period has never been successfully replicated, even with modern tools available. Some chambers work acoustically so that a whisper at one wall can be heard clearly in the opposite corner.
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