Lomas Rishi Cave, Rock-cut cave in Jehanabad district, India
Lomas Rishi Cave is a rock-cut cave featuring two chambers: a rectangular assembly hall and a circular room linked by a narrow passage. The interior surfaces retain their original polish, demonstrating the skilled craftsmanship of its ancient builders.
The cave was carved during the Mauryan Empire around 250 BCE as part of the Barabar Caves complex. It represents the earliest surviving rock-cut architecture in India.
The entrance displays carved elephants moving toward stupas, showing the craftsmanship and religious importance that shaped ancient Indian sacred sites. These images reveal how caves like this served as gathering spaces for worship and reflection.
The cave sits about 40 kilometers from Bodh Gaya and is reasonably accessible by road. The polished interior surfaces create good acoustics, making it easy to hear and appreciate the space.
The facade displays the earliest known example of the ogee-shaped chaitya arch, a design that shaped Indian architecture for centuries afterward. This curved arch form became a standard element in later construction.
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