Kanheri Caves

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The Kanheri Caves are a number of rock-cut Buddhist caves located in Mumbai, India. The caves date back to the 1st century BC when the area was under the rule of the Maurayan and Kushan empires. The caves lie deep inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a National Park in northern Mumbai at 19.205° N 72.907° E. The caves are at a height of about 450 metres (1,500 feet) above sea level and command a panoramic view of the surroundings. The Arabian Sea, and the Vasai Creek can be seen in the distance.

These caves, which used to be a settlement for travellers number around 109, and were in use from the 1st century BC to the 9th century AD. Inscriptions found in the caves refer to the area as Krishnagiri; Krishnasila; Kanhasila or Kanhagiri, which means "Black Mountain" or "Black Rock". "Kanheri" appears to have been derived from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri, which means "Black Mountain".

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The caves were originally built as a place for rest for travellers between the ancient port towns of Sopara and Kalyan. As time progressed, the secluded environment led to it being ideal as a place for meditation and prayer, and archaeologists believe that the caves began to host permanent residences in the 1st century AD. The location in the middle of a forest, straddling the crossroads of ancient towns of Sopara, Kalyan, Nasik and Ujjain, and the abundance of water made it a popular venue for Buddhist monks.

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Initially the caves were spartan, with basic amenities such as stone beds, and cisterns to store water. In due course of time, as it began to have permanent residents halls began to be carved out of the rock. Ornate statues and images of Buddha and the Bodhisattvas were also carved on the walls. By the third century, Kanheri had risen to being the most prominent Buddhist settlement on the Konkan coast. Its increase in stature meant that funds from nearby cities were easy to obtain.

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