![]() There are many more brief Buddhist inscriptions inside and outside the caves of Son Bhandar from late 5th to early 6th Century, most likely left by different pilgrims of North India. The western part of Son Bhandar Caves gave the name to this Buddhist Cave, Son Bhandar which means the “store of gold”. The legend shows that the treasure of Son Bhandar Caves is linked to western cave of Son Bhandar Caves. Legends of Son Bhandar Caves The myths of Son Bhandar Caves tell that, this cave still hides a passage to the treasury of gold. The 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. ![]() Structure of Son Bhandar Caves Son Bhandar Caves is believed to be a guard cave. It contains a single rectangular chamber, 10.4 X 5.2 metres large. The vaulted ceiling of Son Bhandar Caves stands on vertical walls, vault rises up to 1.5 meters high. This resembles the style of older Mauryan rock-cut sanctuaries. In ancient times most likely there was a roofed veranda in the front of caves. The walls, doorjambs and front wall of Son Bhandar Caves contains numerous epigraphs. The small image of standing Lord Vishnu is etched on the left side of doorway. In the wall of Son Bhandar Caves, there is seen a trace of carving, resembling a doorway and next to it, an un-deciphered inscription. There is also a black mark above or in the upper part of Son Bhandar Caves which marks the mysterious doorway, is of left by cannonball when British tried to break the wall and enter the passage of Son Bhandar Caves. The eastern part of the Son Bhandar Caves is partly ruined. The front part of the caves chamber has fallen. The upper floor of the caves above the cliff made in brick is added later, during Gupta period and possibly caused the collapse of front wall of the Son Bhandar Caves. The veranda in front of the southern wall of Son Bhandar Caves contains important early Jain artwork, which are exquisitely sculpted small relics of 6 Jain Tirthankaras. |
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