Know more about the Mysterious Sonbhandar caves of Bihar

New Delhi: The mysterious Sonbhandar Caves are among the most interesting monuments of Indian History. Located in the the ancient capital city of Rajgir,a small, scenic town in Nalanda district of Bihar. This town has witnessed many important events in Indian history . Buddha has been living here and giving sermons to the great king of Magadha – Bimbisara.Sonbhandar caves here are one of the most important tourist destinations.These are two interesting cave chambers. These caves were hollowed out of a single massive rock. Both were hollowed in the cliff in 3rd – 4th century AD.It is believed that one of the chambers has been the guard room with a doorway that leads to King Bimbisara Treasury which is believed to be still intact.The second chambers bears a few traces of seated and standing etched into the outer wall.The planning of the caves resembles earlier Mauryan rock-cut sanctuaries and this lets to put in doubt that age of caves.There are many more brief inscriptions inside and outside the caves from late 5th – early 6th century. Sonbhandar refers to the store of Gold thus local legend tells that these cave still hide a passage to the treasury of gold – entrance in this passage is well hidden in the cave chamber behind an ancient stone wedge. Some also believe that the passage goes through Vaibhargiri mountain and reaches Saptaparni Caves on the other side of range.Its western part is believed to be a guard cave – contains single rectangular chamber, 10.4 x 5.2 m large. The vaulted ceiling stands on vertical walls, vault rises up to 1.5 m high. Walls, doorjambs and front wall contains numerous epigraphs. Small image of standing Vishnu is etched on the left side of doorway .In the wall of cave there is seen a trace of carving, resembling a doorway and next to it – an undeciphered inscription in Sankhlipi writing or shell script. It is believed that this inscription is a password – who will read it, will open the door and enter the passage. The mark on the supposed doorway where the British tried to cannon ball (without success) their way through can still be seen.