Manjhi inaugurates Vanavar Mahotsava

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today inaugurated Vanavar Mahotsava amid much fanfare at Barabar hills in the Jehanabad district of the state, around 75 km south of Patna.
The inauguration was done in a traditional manner amid chanting of prayers and lighting of lamps and the ceremony soon gave way to colourful programmes by a troupe from Mumbai, including artists like Raja Hasan, Shashi Suman and Swarna Kirti.
Manjhi awarded several district police officers on the occasion for exemplary work. State Industries minister Bhim Singh was also present with him.
Vanavar Hills, also popularly known as Barabar, is mentioned as the place where Ashwathama, the great warrior of the Mahabharata, prayed to Lord Shiva and was blessed with immortality. A Shiva temple known as Siddhanath Temple exists on top of the highest point there.

The hills have old rock cut caves dating back to the Mauryan Empire period between 322 and 185 BC. They were used by the monks of the Ajivaka sect, and are known for their highly polished interiors. Several Buddhist sculptures are also present there.
The caves are well mentioned in E M Forster's book 'A Passage to India'.