Welcome to . . Kanheri Caves

The Kanheri Caves are near Borivali, Mumbai's suburb. There are over 1000 caves in all - all Buddhist - believed to have been built between the 2nd and 9th centuries AD. The situation of the caves on an eminence make them a very charming spot. Only four or five of the caves have designs and carvings which render them remarkable. But there is great pleasure roaming round the various caves, entering the cells, where Buddhist monks must have lived and contemplated, and admiring the scene from various points of the hill. There are 109 hollow place (vivars) in which small water tanks are excavated. It is amazing that there are also underground nallas for drainage.

Cave No.3, known as the great Chaitya cave, is the most outstanding of the lot and resembles the one at Karla. Eighty six ft. long, 40 ft. wide, 34 pillars go round a dagoba built at the extreme end of the cave. There are two huge statues of Buddha carved at the entrance to the cave. In cave No.35 it is interesting to trace on the walls some reliefs of Buddha seated on a lotus and more interesting still to see a disciple of his, spreading out his cloak for the Prophet to walk upon  

Getting there

By Road : Mumbai-Borivali 25 km
By Rail : Borivali (W.R.), Mumbai
By Air : Mumbai,

Places to see near by

National Park