Tracking down a peaceful spot in the clamoring city of Mumbai, where everybody is longing for coming out on top amidst the futile daily existence despite all odds, could appear to be unimaginable initially.
In any case, you will adjust your perspective without a doubt when you visit Kanheri Caves. Settled in the quiet environs of Sanjay Gandhi Public Park and encompassed by the Western Ghats, Kanheri Caves are a treat for students of history, nature lovers, and seekers of peace.
Kanheri Caves(Mumbai) – All You Need to Know About It Before Visit
These delightful stone-cut monuments as Caves or gufas are made of dark basaltic stones. There is a sum of 109 Caves that can be gotten to through a succession of rock-cut steps. It is accepted that these antiquated Caves were worked between the first century BC and tenth-century Promotion and they filled in as significant journeys and learning habitats for Buddhist monks.
Investigating Kanheri Caves or Kanheri Gufas is an extraordinary method for finding out about the commonness of Buddhism in the western piece of India. The gufas are enhanced with splendid old models, compositions, carvings, and engravings, and one of them has been changed into a religious community too. The Cave complex is considered a real part of the most ideal getaway destinations in Mumbai.
Here is some data about Kanheri Caves address, timings, and passage charges from there, the sky is the limit.
Kanheri Caves, Mumbai – Informative Details
Kanheri Caves’ area in the midst of the peaceful Western Ghats makes these Caves very well known among the people who long to move away from the metropolitan clamor. Prior to visiting these gufas, ensure you really take a look at Kanheri Caves’ timings and other data to keep away from any disarray later.
Kanheri Caves open promptly in the first part of the day, at around 7:30 AM, and you can visit on any day from Tuesday to Sunday. The Caves and their environmental factors look quiet and supernatural promptly toward the beginning of the day, so take a stab at coming to before 9:00 AM. Nonetheless, since Kanheri Caves’ time of opening is liable to change, you really want to enquire in advance and plan accordingly.
Kanheri Caves: History
The word Kanheri was taken from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri or Kanhagiri, which means dark mountain (Krishna implies dark and Giri implies mountain).
Kanheri Caves or Kanheri Gufas are an assortment of 109 stone-cut monuments, the earliest ones tracing all the way back to the first century BC. The historical backdrop of these Caves is additionally connected with the spread of Buddhism in the locale. The gufas house many sculptures, artistic creations, and engravings, proposing that the Cave complex was involved by Buddhist priests for residing, venerating, concentrating on sacred writings, and contemplating. Consequently, they were referred to as Buddhist Viharas also.
The assembly lobbies in the Caves highlight enormous stupas which demonstrate that Kanheri Caves were viewed as significant Buddhist sanctuaries in old times. The Caves apparently were among the main spots where Buddhists settled during the third century. As per students of history and archeologists, these Caves were likewise utilized as rain shelters by priests.
Kanheri Caves: Architecture
Kanheri Caves gloat an old Buddhist design style, with viharas, stupas, prayer halls, and then some. The most remarkable part of these Caves is that they are cut out of a solitary bedrock. Albeit the engineering is very basic, the Caves are skilfully planned with significant highlights, for example, a stone platform for resting, channels to trap and store water, tall points of support, walkways, etc.
Various Caves here have various attributes, similar to Cave 1 has a fragmented chaityagriha, while Cave 2 has three stupas and cut figures of Ruler Buddha. In Cave 3, you will track down a stupa, tall support points, and a huge sculpture of Ruler Buddha at the entry. The Caves likewise bear numerous engravings in Devanagari and Brahmi, a lot of which are as yet undeciphered.
Kanheri Caves: Today
Kanheri ki Gufa or Kanheri Caves are considered a real part of the main Buddhist legacy locales in the nation, and consequently, safeguarded by the Archeological Survey of India. The appeal of these old Caves and their quiet area in the midst of rich vegetation make the site a must-visit in Mumbai.
The Caves are likewise very famous among travelers who can partake in a 2-hour long journey across the verdant backwoods areas of Sanjay Gandhi Public Park. The landscape is straightforward, picturesque, and ideal for novices too. Traveling in Kanheri Caves is likely quite possibly the best thing to do in Mumbai for nature darlings and experience searchers.
Things to See in Kanheri Caves
The site houses a sum of 109 Caves, the vast majority of which are straightforward viharas or religious communities implied for praying, meditating, and studying. Be that as it may, a few Caves here will shock you with selective plans and designs and merit investigating.
- Cave 1: This Cave is a vihara or Buddhist monastery. The Cave is separated into two levels and the entry has two support points. This Cave additionally houses a deficient chaityagriha or prayer hall.
- Cave 2: This is a long Cave that initially had three stupas or dagobahs, one of which has gotten harmed. The stones around the stupas have figures of Lord Buddha.
- Cave 3: Known as the Chaitya cave or chaityagriha, Cave 3 is the most significant gufa here. This exceptional Cave has a very much etched screen that isolates the front of the Cave from the patio. Aside from the stupa and tall support points, this Cave has a huge Buddha sculpture close to the entry.
- Caves 4, 5, and 6: Cave 4 allegedly is one of the most seasoned gufas here and Caves 5 and 6 are water reservoirs.
- Cave 11: This Cave is practically similar to Cave no. 5 in Ellora, Aurangabad. It was involved by Buddhist priests for recounting strictly sacred writings.
- Cave 34: The roof of this Cave is embellished with works of art by Ruler Buddha, the vast majority of which are deficient.
- Caves 41 and 67: These Caves have sculptural pictures of Bodhisattvas. Both these Caves have sculptures of the 11-headed Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara. The 11 heads address empathy, everything being equal. Cave 41 offers a look at Jataka stories also.
- Cave 90: This Cave is the most established and haziest one and is known for lodging numerous sculptures of Ruler Buddha. The walls of the Cave have many sculptures, some of which portray Master Buddha on the lotus high position, and some show him in the Padmasana or meditation pose.
Prior to visiting the Caves, ensure you check online assuming Kanheri Caves are open today. Likewise, the Caves are for the most part shut in the early evening time, i.e., from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, so plan your excursion accordingly.
