As my stay continued in Mumbai the next destination that I headed towards was the Kanheri caves which are actually a group of monuments chiseled out of rocks. This tourist spot is very famous and is situated to the north of Borivali that lies on the western outskirts of Mumbai.
It is a part of the Sanjay Gandhi national park and is located at a very short distance of 6 kilometers from the main gate of these forests. From Borivali station these caves lie at a distance of 7 kilometers. The site is open for tourists after 7:30 hours in the morning.
The Kanheri caves are a clear and strong depiction of Buddhist influence on the architectural style, art and culture of India. This term “Kanheri” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Krishnagiri”, this refers to black mountains. The caves have been carved out of a single massive basaltic rock.
It is a part of the Sanjay Gandhi national park and is located at a very short distance of 6 kilometers from the main gate of these forests. From Borivali station these caves lie at a distance of 7 kilometers. The site is open for tourists after 7:30 hours in the morning.
The Kanheri caves are a clear and strong depiction of Buddhist influence on the architectural style, art and culture of India. This term “Kanheri” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Krishnagiri”, this refers to black mountains. The caves have been carved out of a single massive basaltic rock.
These caves are beautifully chiseled and are of great archaeological importance as they consist of nearly 51 inscriptions that are legible as well as 26 epigraphs. In the cave 90 of this mega structure epigraphs engraved with Brahmiand and Devanagri script are discovered along with three epigraphs with Pahlavi inscriptions. One of the inscriptions has quite interestingly mentioned about the marriage of the Satvahana Emperor Vashishtiputra Satakarni to the daughter of king Rudradaman.
The caves also consist of a couple of paintings dating back in history. On the ceiling of cave number 34 the unfinished paintings of Gautama Buddha draws attention of visitors. Apart of the beauty of these caves their location is also a favored picnic spot for tourists due to its scenic beauty. Located deep inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park this site is well connected via bus services that operate every hour and carry tourists to the caves. The tourists are supposed to pay entrance fee at the main gate as well as at the entrance of the caves.
The hilly terrain of the Kanheri caves offers an awesome site in the rainy season as many small and large waterfalls are created due to its geography. Families also enjoy lazy weekends on the banks of the streams that bisect the road to Kanheri from the entrance of the Sanjay Gandhi Park. Hence, my visit to this destination was a very peaceful and refreshing experience and I would look forward to visit this site again.
The hilly terrain of the Kanheri caves offers an awesome site in the rainy season as many small and large waterfalls are created due to its geography. Families also enjoy lazy weekends on the banks of the streams that bisect the road to Kanheri from the entrance of the Sanjay Gandhi Park. Hence, my visit to this destination was a very peaceful and refreshing experience and I would look forward to visit this site again.