Benefits of Forests to Society – This photo was taken at the entrance of Venuvan at Rajgir in Bihar.

Venuvan or Bamboos Grove was gifted to Lord Buddha by King Bimbisar as a residence.

The great Jain sage Vairadeva ji got the two caves constructed in the 3rd or 4th century A.D. These caves were meant for meditation. According to legend, these caves were King Bimbisar’s treasury. Hence, these are also known as ‘Swarn Bhandar.” The eastern cave was two-storeyed high, and the statue of Jain arhats was installed in the cave. A fine image of Vishnu riding on Garuda, belonging to the Gupta period, was found in the cave, which has been kept in the Nalanda Archeological Museum.

Source: Forest and Environment Department, Bihar

Laxmi Narayan Upadhyay – a local guide upon our arrival at Son Bhandar Caves, further enhanced our knowledge by sharing The History of Sone Bhandar Caves as follows:

– Sone means Surang (tunnel), and the length of the tunnel is 3 miles.
– At hot water springs, after climbing 565 steps, there is Saptparni Cave and Pipli Cave. It is said that the Sonbhandar caves are connected with them, but both side tunnel entrances are closed.
– Those days the King of this area was Bimbisar. Ajatshatru (son) killed Bimbisar by prisoning him. Bimbisar’s wife Kaushalya after his husband’s death, donated all her wealth to Jain Muni Gautam Swami. As he was a sadhu and does not require wealth, he kept all the wealth inside this tunnel and closed it with a huge rock, and wrote a few mantras in Shankh lipi. Whoever is able to read the mantra will be able to open the rock to enter the tunnel. When Englishmen ruled India, they tried to break the tunnel entrance via cannon (तोप) but were unable to succeed, and that is why you can see a black mark on the entrance rock.
– Shankh Lipi was taught at Nalanda University, but Bakhtiyar Khilji burned all three libraries at Nalanda University to ashes. He also destroyed the idols present on Sonbhandar cave walls.
– Aadinath and Parshvanath idols were recovered from these cave holes. Due to security, it is kept in the Nalanda Museum.
A few pillars outside the cave and a verandah, and a two-storeyed Jain temple were destroyed in the 1934 earthquake.
– Rajgir was earlier known as Grih Braj.

Wonderful narration. Thank you – said I with donations. Knowledge is enhanced for sure.

Jarasandh Ka Akhara is approx. one km from Sone Bhandar Caves.

Click to learn more about Bimbisar Jail.

Bimbisar Jail is near the Chariot Wheel Mark and Shell Characters situated at Udayagiri Hills few km away from Rajgir.

The one that you see far on top of the mountain is known as Gridhkuta mountain. Lord Buddha delivers sermons from there. Gridhkuta Mountain is also known as Vulture Peak.

Let me introduce you to this location – Bimbisar Jail and myself:

My name is Nand Lal Verma, and I am a private guide. This location is in the 5th Century and was only for one person ‘Bimbisar‘ – The King of Magadh. We are currently standing at Old Magadh.

King Bimbisar was a follower of Buddha, which was not liked by his son Ajatshatru. Ajatshatru imprisoned his father within his fort, which is near the bus stand of Rajgir Town at present. Later, he prepared a jail for his father. When Bimbisar knew his son’s intentions, he requested to prepare a jail at a location from where he could watch Lord Buddha daily. Thus, this location was selected.

The boundaries you are watching are the original boundary wall of that time jail. It is 2 meters broad and 8 feet deep.

Ajatshatru makes sure no food is provided to his father, nor does anybody visit the jail to meet his father except his mother. Only his mother Kaushalya, was allowed to meet her husband. It is said Kaushalya used to rub honey all over her body before meeting Bimbisar so that during the meeting, Bimbisar may lick to have something in the form of food to survive.

Soon, Ajatshatru becomes a father. Son was born. His name was Udyain. During the birthday celebration, Ajatshatru realized that during his birth, his father Bimbisar also had celebrations. He realized his mistake. He ordered to release his father immediately and walked towards the prison. This was known to his father. He thought he might be killed by his son. He was wearing a diamond ring which he licked to die by poison. When Ajatshatru reached it was too late by then.

Ajatshatru was also named a ‘Pitrahanta’, i.e., one who is the killer of his father.

Sir Alexander Cunningham excavated this site in the year 1861. A room made of stone was first discovered. Handcuffs and Legcuffs were recovered from the room and were first shifted to the museum at Nalanda and then shifted to the National Museum, New Delhi.

The old name of Rajgir was Grih Braj. Rajgir is surrounded by five mountains. People during those days used to stay in between these five mountains. All these five mountains are connected with each other. Historians name these mountains as follows:

1. Vipulgiri (Jain temples can be seen) 2. Ratnagiri 3. Udaygiri 4. Sonagiri 5. Vyavhargiri

Hot water springs are at Vipulgiri and Vyavhargiri because both mountains have a good amount of sulfur.

Thank you very much – said I to the private guide. Fantastically said – Brief History of Bimbisar Jail. Donations.

This Archeological area indicates some parts of the Chariot Wheel Mark and Shell Inscriptions. These Shell Inscriptions, which have been found in many places in Rajgir and Northern India, have not yet been deciphered. Probably these shell inscriptions belong to the 4th or 5th century A.D. According to legend, the chariot wheel marks belong to the Mahabharata Period.

Source: Display board by the Forest and Environment Department in Bihar

Nand Lal Verma, a private guide present nearby, enhances our knowledge.

Rajgir was earlier known as Grih Braj and is surrounded by five mountains connected with each other.

1. Vipulgiri 2. Ratnagiri 3. Udayagiri 4. Sonagiri 5. Vyavhargiri

Currently, we are near Udayagiri.