Mystery Always Associate with History: Son Bhandar Caves, Rajgir, India
Channel: Imprinted Mind
Date: 02/08/2021

Key words: Son Bhandar Caves, Bhimbisar, Hidden Treasures, Rajgir

Caves have always been an interesting topic for the discussion. Owing to the secret tales surrounding them, caves have inevitably managed to capture the attention of traveler, researchers and historians at large. India too has a fair number of Caves that are still unexplored and well-hidden, and one among them is the Son Bhandar Caves in Rajgir, Bihar. Son Bhandar or Sonebhandar caves, basically is a set of two artificial cave structures located in the foothills on the Vaibhar Hills. As per an inscription written in Gupta language on a rock at the entrance, these caves were constructed by a Jain muni, meaning ‘wise man’, named Vairadeva, which makes them structures belonging 3rd from 4th century BC. 

Bimbisara was the son of a chieftain. However, through his prowess, he became king only at the age of 15 and established an empire only few can dream of. Through battle, alliance and marriage – King Bimbisara created a huge and powerful kingdom. His capital was Pataliputra (modern day Patna) and his Magadhan empire had expanded far and wide across India bringing him immense power and – wealth.
The great King Bimbisara became well known for many achievements but is most well remembered as the friend and protector of Gautam Buddha. In his older years, Bimbisara had turned his attention away from material conquests and more towards spiritual ones. He was generous towards ascetics and monks. He gave away his wealth open handedly to help the monks who were carrying the spiritual messages of Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.
King Bimbisara’s illustrious and ambitious son, Ajatashatru was a legendary warrior. However, he could not appreciate his father’s compassion towards these monks. Some courtiers added fuel to the fire and the son resolved to relieve the old king from his duties. Bimbisara was usurped by his own son and put into a dark prison.
While Ajatashatru seized the throne, it is believed that his mother the Queen, hid the brilliant and rare riches of the Magadhan Empire here in the Son Bhandar Caves. Why the Queen chose this cave, no one knows. This cave was made by Vairadeva, a wise Jain monk and was used as a place for meditation.
The Queen approached the monk for safekeeping the royal treasure in the two roomed caves. It is said that the great monk had not only kept the treasure deep inside the cave but also locked it with his spiritual powers. That itself is the reason why no one and no machine has been able to pry into it.
Several attempts have been made to find the ‘supposedly’ hidden treasure but in vain. In fact, once officials from the British government tried to blow the walls of the cave with strong explosives but could not succeed. All these happenings have only intensified the mystery around these caves.

Besides, the chambers of this caves are beautifully polished, which add to the beauty and uniqueness of these. There are several inscriptions in and around the caves, which as per belief is left by the pilgrims, who must have visited the place once. 

Legend says that the Son Bhandar Caves are locked by a mantra and can only be opened by its own ‘password’. The town of Rajgir, famous for its hot water springs also brings many tourists here. Most are here for sightseeing but there are quite a few who try to ‘break the code’.
Out of the two caves, this one is said to have a hidden entrance to the treasure. As per generations of storytelling, if one could open this door it will take you through a tunnel through the hills. The passage connects to the Saptaparni Caves on the other side.

Here is a video of tourists paying a visit to Sonbhandar Caves and listening to its intriguing history.
The cave room is rectangular with a ceiling as high as 1.5 metre. On its bare wall, there is some carving which many see as the hint of a door. Suspicions arise when one also sees an inscription next to this ‘door’. This inscription is referred as the ‘code’ of the Son Bhandar Caves and it is supposedly telling how to open the door. The mystery thickens when historians say they cannot read or interpret this script fully.