Nestled in the Mumbai wildlife, known as the ‘Lung of Mumbai’, Kanheri Caves premises offers a pleasant break from the pollution and the noisy, metropolitan life. The article reveals exhaustive information about the Kanheri Caves; including its history, hikking, hike routes, how to reach it by public transport, best time visits, nearby places, facilities and our thoughts at the end.
Table of Contents
What is Kanheri Caves Famous for?
Because of rock-cut structures and the rich flora and fauna of the national park, Kanehri Caves is one of the popular attractions in the Mumbai.
Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments cut into a massive basalt outcrop in the forests of the Mumbai, on the former island of Salsette in the western outskirts of Mumbai, India.
What is the Story of Kanheri Caves?
Long before “Mumbai” became a commercial hub, Sopara and Kalyan were the two main ports in the region that traded with ancient Greece and Mesopotamia. The 45km land route between these ports passed through this forest and the link to other trade centres like Nashik and Ujjain made it the perfect place for patronage from merchants. And thus, Buddhism arrived in Aparantha (Western India) at Sopara. Though the island of Salsette is rich in rock-cut Buddhist caves—Marol, Mahakali, Magathana, Mandapeshwar and Jogeshwari— Kanheri is the most extensive of the lot.
Who discovered Kanheri Caves?
From its position, within easy access from Mumbai and Sopara, Kanheri was early attracte, and were described by Portuguese visitors in the 16th century, and by European voyagers
In ancient inscription, the place was known as Krishnagiri or Black Mountain after the dark basalt rock. With the passage of time it became Kanhagiri and eventually Kanheri.
Who lived in Kanheri Caves?
Kanheri was a University center by the time the area was under the rule of the Maurayan and Kushan empires. Spanning from the 1st century BC to 11th century AD, an era that saw the rise and decline of Buddhism, these caves present an insight into its evolution and also have the distinction of having the largest number of cave excavations from a single hill.
Buddhism was gradually lost in Maharashtra by 1560, which led to the abandonment of the caves. For 300 to 400 years, they remained in a dilapidated condition. After Independence, the Archaeological Survey of India decided to take over, revive and conserve the heritage site.
How Old is Kanheri Caves?
Ddating from the 1st century CE to the 10th century CE, Kanheri is also hailed as the single largest Buddhist site in the country which contain Buddhist sculptures and relief carvings, paintings and inscriptions.
The most extensive series is the group of Buddhist caves at Kanheri which carved in a single hill, a few miles from Thane, in which are about 109 separate caves, mostly small, however, and architecturally unimportant.
Most of the hills in the neighbourhood are covered with the jungle, but this one is nearly bare, its summit being formed by one large rounded mass of compact rock, under which a softer stratum has in many places been washed out by the rains, forming natural caves.
How High is Kanheri Caves?
The rock in which the caves are is a volcanic breccia, which forms the whole of the hilly district of the island, culminating to the north of the caves in a point about 1,550 feet above the sea level.
Even though site is on a hillside, it is accessible via rock-cut steps.
What are the Observations of Kanheri Caves?
There are about 108 caves spread in the region of SGNP and each one having its unique features. Most of the caves were Buddhist Viharas, meant for living, studying, and meditating.
Vihara Cave
The 1st cave from entrance known as Vihara cave, a Buddhist monastery which is standing on two large pillars.
Court of Great Chaitya
It is a long cave, now open in front. A congregation hall with huge stone pillars contains a stupa (a Buddhist shrine) with number of sculpture of budhha. The large number of Viharas demonstrates there was a well-organized establishment of Buddhist monks.
Great Chaitya Cave
The 3rd cave is the chaitya hall refers to a shrine, sanctuary, temple or prayer hall in Indian religions.
At the entrance of the cave, a 23 feet high colossal Buddha and Chaitya Graha which are carved for collective praying are lined with intricately carved Buddhist sculptures, reliefs, pillars and rock-cut stupas.
This cave is 86 feet long and 10 feet wide and has 34 pillars round and a large Stupa inside the cave.
Stupa Cave
The 4th cave on the left of the court of the Great Chaitya is a small circular cell containing a solid Stupa, from its position almost certainly of more ancient date than this cave.
Darbar Cave
To the north-east of the great Chaitya cave, in a glen or gully formed by a torrent, is a cave bearing the name of the Darbar Cave, which is the largest of the class in the group, and, after the Chaitya Caves, certainly the most interesting.
Inscriptions
51 inscriptions and 26 epigraphs have been discovered at Kanheri. A Brāhmī stone inscription at Kanheri, veranda of the Great Chaitya.
Water Conservations
Rock-cut channels above the caves fed rainwater into cisterns, which provided the complex with water.
Other Kanheri Caves
Kanheri Caves Map
In which National Park is Kanheri Caves?
Located at the western side of Mumbai, this fine piece of rock cut art situated further deep within the range of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali city. Mumbai is undoubtedly the glamour capital of India, but within the city boundary, there are these group of 118 monolithic Kanheri Buddhist caves.
How to Reach Kanheri Caves?
MUMBAI – BORIWALI – SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK (SGNP) – KANHERI CAVES
SGNP is conveniently connected to all areas of the city via bus, local train, and taxi because it is located near the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. By road or rail, Borivali is easily accessible. You would thus be able to take a shared auto rickshaw from Boriwali Station all the way to the SGNP gate.
How far is Kanheri Caves from National Park?
Entrance to the Kanheri caves is 6 Km farther inside the SGNP’s entrance.
There are various options for further journey like driving one’s vehicle, taking a bus ride, cycling up and hiking to the caves.
What is the Ticket Price of Kanheri Caves?
Kanheri Cave Entrance Rate: ₹ 15
Local Bus to Kanheri Cave: Adult: ₹ 64, Child: ₹ 34
SGNP Main Entrance Ticket Rates: (Mandatory to visit Kanheri Caves)
| Adult | ₹ 64 |
| Child | ₹ 34 |
| Cycle | ₹ 22 |
| 2 Wheeler | ₹ 55 |
| 4 Wheelar | ₹ 215 |
| Private Bus or Truck | ₹ 322 |
Attractions at Sanjay Gandhi National Park include the Tulsi lake, lion and tiger safari (adult ₹ 61, child ₹ 24), nature trails, the Gandhi Tekdi memorial and boating (2-seater ₹ 36, 4-seater ₹ 73).
The SGNP park is open for visitors every day from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
How Long is the Trek to Kanheri Caves?
It will take approx. 3 hours to reach Kanheri Cave from entrance of SNGP by walk.
“Happiness is not about destination, it’s about Journey!!”
This line perfectly suitable to Kanheri Caves Hike.
Hiking to Kanheri Cave is a must-do activity in Mumbai during the monsoon season.
It involves walking on a straight tar road surrounded by lush greenery on the side, seeing free-ranging wild animals, and passing seasonal water streams halfway through the trek.
The trail continues to the summit, from which you can see the high-rises of Powai on one side and the whole western Mumbai panorama, encompassing Versova and Gorai islands.
Because of the rough surface, wear footwear that is comfortable and has decent traction.
Despite overzealous visitors and wild troops of monkeys, the trudge uphill promises a sense of peace.
You cannot read any literature regarding the Kanheri Caves on the ticket or anywhere else. To observe these caves, you must apply the knowledge you have gained from the other Buddhist caves.
The Kanheri Caves’ natural streams and rivers provide breathtaking views and lovely settings for families to enjoy a little picnic while touring the caves, which immerse tourists in a bygone era of prosperity.
List of Sanjay Gandhi National Park Treks
If you had enough of history and you are looking for a bit of excitement, then you can plan other treks around SGNP which arranged by local tourist guides.
- Bamboo hut trail / Gaumukh trail
- Jambhulmal trail – the highest point of Mumbai
- Shilonda trail
- Malad trail
- Nagla trail
- Kashimira trail
NIC (Nature Information Center) inside the SGNP arranges for all these trails.
Therefore, you must obtain permission from the NIC and be accompanied by a naturalist in order to access any of the six trails listed above in the SGNP. In addition to the admission ticket fees at the SGNP gate, there are additional fixed fees set by the SGNP for access to the aforementioned trails. These fees are in addition to the trail entrance fees for the Naturalist.
If you plan to visit any of these trails, please contact the NIC of SGNP appropriately and ask them to let you know the overall cost of the trip as well as the naturalist’s fees.
You can visit here.
Gaumukh Temple Trail – Offbeat Kanheri
The Gaumukh Temple is the abundant temple is located on the other plateau just above the Kanheri Caves. It is two floor and having total 6 rooms but idols or deity inside temple is missing. Most of the part of the temple is now in ruins as it was razed by Govt. authorities.
Easiest way to reach Gaumukh is passing through first three main caves of Kanheri and then take iron bridge that made on the 200 ft deep valley.
Rock steps of Kanheri followed by natural trails takes you through the deep forest to the Gaumukh plateau.
The top of Gaumukh plateau paranomic view of Vasai Creek and glimpse of Global Vipassana Pagoda, the larget Meditation Dome Hall in the world with a capacity to seat around 8,000 Vipassana meditators Gorai which is another major attraction in Mumbai.
Throughout the route from Kanheri, you will come across number of water streams. Further a narrow trail leads you through the field to the Gaumukh Temple.
Which is the Highest Point in Kanheri Caves?
Jambhulmal Point is the Highest of Kanheri Caves that ahead of Gaumukh Temple.
Gaumukh is not halfway to Jambhulmal, but if you reach gaumukh you have covered 1/3 of its trail. Jambhulmal trail is about 9.5 kms from SGNP entrance and just before clearing view of Kanheri Cave from main road, the trail passes through streams, rocky paths, plateau’s, bamboo jungles, Ashoka Van and Karvi plants. Since it is an end of the all trails of SGNP and mainly the highest point at about 1535 feet or 468 meters above sea level, it offers stunning view of surrounding areas.
Before Jambhulmal point, the left path goes to the Air Force receiving station which is a restricted area.
While exploring any of the trails of SGNP and even at the Kanheri Caves area, you only need to be careful of the monkeys. You should refrain from eating there and for protection carry a stick to encounter any of their attacks.
Food Facility in Kanheri Caves
There is one local hotel at base of Kanheri Cave where one can get cold drinks and fast foods.
Is Private Car allowed in Kanheri Caves?
You can pay the SGNP entrance charge + private vehicle charge and ride your vehicle till the Kanheri Caves entrance. There is non chargeable parking available at the base of Kanheri Caves
Accomodation
There is no permission to stay inside caves after the evening.
Best Time to Visit Kanheri Caves
Kanheri is a all time visit place in Mumbai.
Don’t visit on public holidays to avoid crowds as noisy visitors fail to disturb the inherent peace of these caves. Plus, the dens are so cool from inside that you won’t mind spending time as a good escape from the Mumbai heat.
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