Son Bhandar Caves and Cyclopean Wallसोन भंडार गुफाएँ
Jain rock-cut caves with a treasure legend, near the pre-Mauryan stone wall of old Rajgriha.
See what is open on your dateOpen in Google MapsWhereNalanda, Bihar
Magadh
Magadh
Kind of placeCaves, Monuments & Heritage
Best time to visit15 October to 15 March
Good seasonsPost-monsoon (October to November), Winter (December to February)
DifficultyEasy
Time needed2 hrs
Base and nearbyRajgir, Rajgir station
EntryFree
About Son Bhandar Caves and Cyclopean Wall
Two rock-cut caves at the foot of Vaibhava hill, cut for Jain monks around the 3rd or 4th century CE according to the Vairadeva inscription on the doorway, with small Jain figures carved in the second cave. The name means treasury of gold, and legend says a sealed doorway in the rock hides the hoard of Bimbisara. Beyond the caves you can trace the Cyclopean wall, a 40-km ring of undressed stone around old Rajgriha that is older than the Mauryas.
What to see and do
- Two rock-cut Jain caves with the Vairadeva inscription
- The treasure doorway legend
- Jain figures carved in the eastern cave
- Stretches of the pre-Mauryan Cyclopean wall
Opening status, best time and closures here are estimates from usual seasons and past patterns, not live information. Confirm with the local authority before you go. Terms of use
More places in Nalanda
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- KundalpurNalanda, Bihar · Pilgrimage RoutesThe Digambar Jain site claimed as the birthplace of Mahavira, next door to Nalanda.
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All places in Nalanda · All places in Bihar
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Jagah Pedia is a free travel guide by Santosh Pandey. Status, timings and closures are estimates from usual patterns, so confirm locally before you travel.