Kanheri Caves – Kanheri
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Kanheri Caves are situated in the heart of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra. They lie at a distance of approximately 10 km from Borivali, Mumbai. They are almost 109 in number and date back to somewhere between 1st century BC and 9th century AD. Kanheri Caves signify a golden beginning and the end of Buddhism in the northern India. Buddhist Monks as well as traders, who traveled for religious favors, used to make use of these caves on a frequent basis.
At the top of the caves stand exquisite sculptures of goddess Tara and Goddess Bhrukti. The central structure is that of Avalokiteswara, with five symbols, each in the right as well as the left. Another major attraction of Kanheri Caves is the Chaitya Cave, dating back to somewhere between 4th century AD and 5th century AD. Magnificent decorative woodwork embellishes the roof of this cave. The outer sides of the wall are adorned with sculptured statues of Buddha, mainly the Avalokiteswara incarnation.
There are 109 caves ar Kanheri, near Borivli beyond the National Park in Bombay. Majority of the caves at Kanheri are cells for the monks with a stone bench and verandah in front. The earliest excavations at Kanheri were by the Theravada monks in the 2nd century B..
The main chaitya (Cave-3) at Kanheri is 317 sq. metres in area and the fourth largest in India. It is 15.2 metres in height and has 34 pillars. The Stupa is about 5 metres in height and has a series of relic caskets along the cnetre of the drum. It was excaved in about A.D. 180 and was used both by the Theravada and the Mahayana Buddhists. Among the sculptures added by some Mahayana followers sometime in A.D. 5th century are colossal statues of the Buddha nearly seven metres high at each end of the verandah. There are also standing figures of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Buddha on the front wall to the left of the verandah. The sculptures on the front screen are of the donor couples belonging to A.D. 2nd century.
Cave-10 on the right side of the ravine is the largest Vihara at Kanheri. It also known as the darbar hall as it was used as an assembly or convocation hall. It has 12 cells in its eastern and southern wall. The cell opposite to the entrance is carved with a seated Buddha attended by Boddhisattvas on either side. The inner assembly hall is22.3 metres in length and 9.8 metres in width.
Cave-41 has a rerpresentation of an eleven-headed Avalokitesvara, said to be the only relic of its kind in India. Cave-50 has a panel showing Buddha praching. Cave-9 has the largest number of Buddha images. It also has a fine sculptures litany of Avalokitesvara in his role as the saviour of the Eight Great Perils. An interesting feature of Kanheri caves is the number of steps and paths, some with hand rails, leading from one cave to the next. Another important feature is the system of runnels, cisterns and reservoirs, which provided water to every cave.
Kanheri is the only place in India where monastic caves were continuously occupied by Buddhist monks from the second century BC. to about A.D. tenth century and even beyond. This is evident from aJapanese inscription of a Buddhist pilgrim of the Nichiren Sect engraved on the walls of cave-66.
Nearby Cities
Mumbai: Approximately 45 km
At the top of the caves stand exquisite sculptures of goddess Tara and Goddess Bhrukti. The central structure is that of Avalokiteswara, with five symbols, each in the right as well as the left. Another major attraction of Kanheri Caves is the Chaitya Cave, dating back to somewhere between 4th century AD and 5th century AD. Magnificent decorative woodwork embellishes the roof of this cave. The outer sides of the wall are adorned with sculptured statues of Buddha, mainly the Avalokiteswara incarnation.
There are 109 caves ar Kanheri, near Borivli beyond the National Park in Bombay. Majority of the caves at Kanheri are cells for the monks with a stone bench and verandah in front. The earliest excavations at Kanheri were by the Theravada monks in the 2nd century B..
The main chaitya (Cave-3) at Kanheri is 317 sq. metres in area and the fourth largest in India. It is 15.2 metres in height and has 34 pillars. The Stupa is about 5 metres in height and has a series of relic caskets along the cnetre of the drum. It was excaved in about A.D. 180 and was used both by the Theravada and the Mahayana Buddhists. Among the sculptures added by some Mahayana followers sometime in A.D. 5th century are colossal statues of the Buddha nearly seven metres high at each end of the verandah. There are also standing figures of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Buddha on the front wall to the left of the verandah. The sculptures on the front screen are of the donor couples belonging to A.D. 2nd century.
Cave-10 on the right side of the ravine is the largest Vihara at Kanheri. It also known as the darbar hall as it was used as an assembly or convocation hall. It has 12 cells in its eastern and southern wall. The cell opposite to the entrance is carved with a seated Buddha attended by Boddhisattvas on either side. The inner assembly hall is22.3 metres in length and 9.8 metres in width.
Cave-41 has a rerpresentation of an eleven-headed Avalokitesvara, said to be the only relic of its kind in India. Cave-50 has a panel showing Buddha praching. Cave-9 has the largest number of Buddha images. It also has a fine sculptures litany of Avalokitesvara in his role as the saviour of the Eight Great Perils. An interesting feature of Kanheri caves is the number of steps and paths, some with hand rails, leading from one cave to the next. Another important feature is the system of runnels, cisterns and reservoirs, which provided water to every cave.
Kanheri is the only place in India where monastic caves were continuously occupied by Buddhist monks from the second century BC. to about A.D. tenth century and even beyond. This is evident from aJapanese inscription of a Buddhist pilgrim of the Nichiren Sect engraved on the walls of cave-66.
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport is that of Mumbai.By Rail
The Borivali railway station is the nearest. However, one may go to the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus also, which is well connected with all the major cities of India.By Road
One can easily get bus services from Mumbai.Nearby Cities
| Caves Name | Kanheri Caves |
| Location | Approximately 10 km from Borivali, Mumbai |
| Founded In | 1st century BC to 9th century AD |
| State | Maharashtra |
| Co-ordinates | 22.949067, 79.189625 |
 Photo by : Himanshu Sarpotdar in Flickr |
 Photo by : fotugrafic bond in Flickr |
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 Photo by : fotugrafic bond in Flickr |
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