National park · India
Barabar and Nagarjuni Hill Cavesबाराबर और नगरजुनी पहाड़ी गुफाएँ
Visit the Barabar and Nagarjuni Hill Caves for a half‑day: pay the entry fee (₹30 – ₹50 per person), explore the four Barabar caves and the three Nagarjuni caves, then return before sunset.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
- The protected area covers roughly 10 km² of hill terrain, including the Barabar and Nagarjuni cave complexes (approximate).
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Barabar and Nagarjuni Hill Caves host India's oldest rock‑cut monuments, dating to the 3rd century BCE Mauryan period. The four Barabar caves showcase polished Ashokan chambers, while the three Nagarjuni caves add later Gupta inscriptions. The site offers short walks and a moderate hill climb, making it suitable for a half‑day visit.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²) · national park since 2026
The protected area covers roughly 10 km² of hill terrain, including the Barabar and Nagarjuni cave complexes (approximate).
Why go
- See India's oldest surviving rock‑cut caves, dating to the 3rd century BCE.
- Compare Mauryan Ashokan architecture with later Gupta additions.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarMild, occasional rain
- AprWarm, low crowd
- MayHeat rises, occasional storms
- JunPre‑monsoon, humidity
- JulMonsoon peaks
- AugHeavy rain, slippery steps
- SepRain recedes, still humid
- OctClear, comfortable
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local birds (kingfishers, bulbuls)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Patna
Train to Gaya (≈80 km (50 mi)) then taxi or bus to Barabar (≈30 km (19 mi)).Train to Gaya (≈50 mi (80 km)) then taxi or bus to Barabar (≈19 mi (30 km)).
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Gaya
Direct taxi or shared bus to Barabar gate.
1 h
From Jehanabad (Makhdumpur)
Local bus or taxi on NH‑83 to Barabar gate.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Barabar gate | Entry point, ticket office, information board. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Barabar caves | Four Mauryan caves (Karan Chaupar, Lomas Rishi, Sudama, Vishva Jhopri). | Open with entry ticket. |
| Nagarjuni hill | Three caves (Gopi, Vadathika, Vapiyaka) 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from gate.Three caves (Gopi, Vadathika, Vapiyaka) 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from gate. | Open with entry ticket; short walk up hill. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the Barabar complex.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Barabar gate) | INR 30–50 (≈ under US$1) | person | Standard fee for Indian nationals; foreign visitor rate may differ (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Photography
- Allowed without flash inside caves.
- Guides
- Not required for Barabar caves; optional for Nagarjuni hill.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins are limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Barabar
Basic rooms 0.3 km (0.2 mi) from gate; budget option.Basic rooms 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from gate; budget option.
Near the park
Hotel Viraat
Mid‑range rooms ~₹960 per night, 1.9 km (1.2 mi) away.Mid‑range rooms ~₹960 per night, 1.2 mi (1.9 km) away.
Safety
Slippery steps medium
Heat in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks are level.
- Cave interiors have smooth floors but no wheelchair access.
Visiting lightly
- Do not purchase unofficial 'langur tours' – not applicable here.
- Support local hotels and eateries.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Barabar and Nagarjuni Hill Caves?
₹30 – ₹50 per person for Indian nationals; foreign rates may differ – check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Barabar and Nagarjuni Hill Caves?
The Barabar cave walk (easy, 1–2 h) and the Nagarjuni hill climb to Gopi Cave (moderate, ~1 h).
When is the best time to visit Barabar and Nagarjuni Hill Caves?
October to November offers cool, dry weather and low crowds; avoid monsoon months July–August.
Can I visit the caves without a guide?
Yes for the Barabar caves; a guide is optional for Nagarjuni hill.
Is there parking at the site?
Small parking is available at the Barabar gate; fees are minimal.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go