Kanheri caves

At Mumbai's northern tip, Borivili, is the majestic Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

This is a resting place for weary Mumbaikars who want to watch birds or just take a walk in the jungle.

The majestic Kanheri Caves are nestled in green surroundings. These caves date back to the 11th century BC and later. According to documents, work on these caves began in the 1st century BC and continued into the 11th century BC. Located 6 km from the main gate of the national park. Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit word krishnagiri which generally means black. They were carved from large outcrops of basalt rock. There are 109 stone cells on the hillside. Each cave has a stone pedestal for the bed. A stupa, a Buddhist temple, is located within a large hall with large stone pillars.

The hill holds the remains of ancient water supply systems, canals and reservoirs and turn rainwater into large reservoirs. Most of the caves are Buddhist monasteries for living, teaching and meditating. The largest cave is the chaitya, or collective worship hall, decorated with rich Buddhist sculptures, reliefs, and pillars for communal worship.

The large number of monasteries clearly attests to the prosperity of Buddhist monastic institutions. Kanheri was the center of the university when the area was under the Maurya and Kushan empires. He is thought to have dug the greatest number of caves on a single mountain and flourished around ancient port cities such as Sopara (Srpara, Greek: ; subara by Arabic writers; ancient capital of North Konkan) Kalyan. prosperous port. It is generally believed that Buddhism first arrived in Aparante (West India) in Sopara, very close to Kanheri. The caves were mentioned by early visitors as Portuguese in the 16th century and by travelers and other travelers to Europe. Many donor inscriptions mention ancient cities such as Suparaka (Sopara); nostrils (nostrils); Chemula (Kimula); hookah (hokah); Denukatta (Dhayakatta, modern Amaravati in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh). Donors came from all walks of life, from nobles to ordinary citizens.

Kanheri's most famous excavation is Cave 3, a chaityagriha excavated during the Satakarni yajna (c. 172-201 AD). The plan consists of a large rectangular hall with a rear apse and foyer. and a large yard in front, the dimensions of the room are 26.36 x 13.66 x 12.9 m (LxWxH). Rows of 34 columns divide the hall into a central nave and side aisles. Domed nave roof, simple side aisle.

There is evidence that the wooden beams matched the central vaulted ceiling, which is now lost.

The pillars of the hall are heterogeneous, with different styles and shapes, without symmetry.

At the top of the pavilion there is a stupa with a diameter of 4.9 m and a height of 6.7 m.

The front of the hall is penetrated by three doors, two pairs of two groups, each group

In the rectangular niches between the carved doors. The chaitya's large, unadorned windows are meant to let light in.

The side walls are decorated with two large Buddha statues standing on roses.

Coins and other Bodhisattva images. These statues were later added and date from the 5th-6th century. Cave 1 is an unfinished chaityagriha, originally intended to have a two-story terrace and portico as well as a pillared hall. The cave is in AD in the 5th-6th centuries, as this period mainly sees columns with compressed pillows or amalky crests. Cave 11, also known as "Sala Durbar", consists of a large hall with a front porch.

The back wall of the hall has mehians and rooms on either side. On the floor of the hall are two low stone benches, reminiscent of Ellora Cave 5.

The Buddha decorated the temple with the Dharmachakrapravardhana mudra.

The cave contains inscriptions from four different periods, including one dated 775 Saka (853 AD) during the reign of King Rashtrakuta Amoghavarshi and his feudal prince Silahara Kapardin. The protocol book records various gifts and donations of funds for the purpose of purchasing and repairing damage. Even if you are not a history buff, this place is worth a visit.

Great views on the way from the top. It's an inspiring journey that no one can resist, whether you're interested in history, culture or just adventure.

Nearest train station: Boryville West.

Park entrance fee: Rs 20 per person and Rs 50 per vehicle.

Entrance to Kanheri Caves: Rs 5 per person.

Opening hours: from 07:30 to 17:30.

Buses depart from the main entrance of the cave at regular intervals at a cost of Rs 30 per person.

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