what is the mystery of son bandhandar caves
Answers
Answered by
1
The ancient capital city of Rajgir is small, scenic town nowadays. This town has seen many events important to history of India – also Buddha has been living here and giving sermons to the great king of Magadha – Bimbisara. Among the numerous exciting monuments of the past one of the most interesting and mysterious ones is Son Bhandar Caves – two rock-cut caves located close together at the southern foot of Vaibhar Hill.
Nowadays these caves are a popular tourist destination with a nicely tended front part.
HOLLOWED CLIFF
Both caves seem to be hollowed in the cliff in the 3rd – 4th century AD – at least inscription inside the western cave, between the door and window tells that it was done by the Great Saint of Jains – Muni Vairadevi for Jain ascetics in this time. Both caves were made approximately at the same time.
Just like the Barabar Caves, Son Bhandar Cave chambers are polished – these are some of the few cave temples in India with this unusual feature. Also the planning of the caves resembles earlier Mauryan rock-cut sanctuaries and this lets to put in doubt that age of caves – there is a possibility that they are significantly older.
There are many more brief inscriptions inside and outside the caves from the late 5th – early 6th century, most likely left by different piligrims.
There was either installed or planned to be installed a figure of Garudasana Visnu – it was found at the front of cave and is in museum in Nalanda today. This image seems to be not finished and never installed – possibly hinting at events from the 7th century when caves were taken over for Vaisnava worship.
Nowadays these caves are a popular tourist destination with a nicely tended front part.
HOLLOWED CLIFF
Both caves seem to be hollowed in the cliff in the 3rd – 4th century AD – at least inscription inside the western cave, between the door and window tells that it was done by the Great Saint of Jains – Muni Vairadevi for Jain ascetics in this time. Both caves were made approximately at the same time.
Just like the Barabar Caves, Son Bhandar Cave chambers are polished – these are some of the few cave temples in India with this unusual feature. Also the planning of the caves resembles earlier Mauryan rock-cut sanctuaries and this lets to put in doubt that age of caves – there is a possibility that they are significantly older.
There are many more brief inscriptions inside and outside the caves from the late 5th – early 6th century, most likely left by different piligrims.
There was either installed or planned to be installed a figure of Garudasana Visnu – it was found at the front of cave and is in museum in Nalanda today. This image seems to be not finished and never installed – possibly hinting at events from the 7th century when caves were taken over for Vaisnava worship.
Similar questions