Sculptured doorway, Lomas Rishi cave, Barabar Hills, Gaya - 1870.
Photograph of the sculptured doorway of the Lomas Rishi cave in the Barabar Hills, Gaya. Caves in the twin Hills of Barabar and Nagarjuni date back to the 3rd century BC, Maurya period and represent some of the earliest example of rock-cut architecture in India. The Lomas Rishi Cave was carved out a huge rounded granite rock and has an arch-like shape façade imitating the contemporary timber architecture. The internal surface is highly polished. The sculptured doorway imitates wooden architecture. A frieze of elephants proceeding towards stupa emblems is sculpted along the curved architrave.