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The Khapra Kodiya Caves are part of the Junagadh Buddhist Cave Group. They are the oldest of the caves in the group. The caves, on the basis of scribbles and short cursive letters on the wall, are dated to 3rd-4th century BCE during the Emperor 
The caves are carved out in an east–west longitudinal ridge. They are small in area. But the architecture of the water tanks is unique, and the caves form an 'L' shaped residence. Caves were used by
File:Khapara Kodiya Caves - Frontside.jpg, Frontside of the caves
File:Khapara Kodiya Caves - Entry Passage.jpg, Entry Passage
File:Khapra Kodiya Caves - Outer Wall.jpg, Outer wall
File:Khapara Kodiya Caves - Under Ground Room with Stairs.jpg, Underground room
File:Khapara Kodiya Caves - Underground Room with Stairs and Door to another room.jpg, Underground room with entrygate to another room
File:Khapara Kodiya Caves - Supporting Pillars.jpg, Supporting pilars
Ashoka
Ashoka (, ; also ''Asoka''; 304 – 232 BCE), popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was the third emperor of the Maurya Empire of Indian subcontinent during to 232 BCE. His empire covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, s ...
's rule and are the plainest of all the caves in the groups. These caves are also known as Khangar Mahal. They were carved in rock during the reign of Emperor Ashoka
Ashoka (, ; also ''Asoka''; 304 – 232 BCE), popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was the third emperor of the Maurya Empire of Indian subcontinent during to 232 BCE. His empire covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, s ...
and are considered the earliest monastic settlement in the area. These caves are along the edge of the ancient Sudarshan Lake (which no longer exists) and a little outside Uparkot fort, to the north.
The caves are carved out in an east–west longitudinal ridge. They are small in area. But the architecture of the water tanks is unique, and the caves form an 'L' shaped residence. Caves were used by bhikku
A ''bhikkhu'' (Pali: भिक्खु, Sanskrit: भिक्षु, ''bhikṣu'') is an ordained male in Buddhist monasticism. Male and female monastics ("nun", ''bhikkhunī'', Sanskrit ''bhikṣuṇī'') are members of the Sangha (Buddhist c ...
s during vassa
The ''Vassa'' ( pi, vassa-, script=Latn, sa, varṣa-, script=Latn, both "rain") is the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners. Taking place during the wet season, Vassa lasts for three lunar months, usually from July ...
period. After many years of use, they were abandoned because cracks within the caves let water seep into living quarters, rendering them unusable. Many accounts say that after this, the monks left for Maharashtra, where they went on to carve many similar and more elaborate structures. Khapara Kodia was damaged by later quarrying, and now only the highest story remains.
References
Buddhist caves in India Caves of Gujarat Indian rock-cut architecture Former populated places in India Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India Buddhist monasteries in India Architecture in India Tourist attractions in Junagadh district {{Buddhism-stub