Monday, March 24, 2014

Rock-cut Caves of Kanehari

Beginning with 1st century BC, the genesis and growth of the group of the Buddhist caves at Kanehari continues up to 11th century AD, a period of more than thousand years. It is located inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai



These rock cut caves excavations are of mainly four types (i) Chaiyahrahas, (ii) Monasteries, (iii) Podhis and  (iv) rock cut benches and seats. The Buddhist monks of Hinayana faith were of the first to commence the excavation of these caves. A majority of these rock-cut caves are small consisting of a single cell with a front pillared verandah approached by a flight of steps.  



Of the numerous donor inscriptions found here mention of ancient cities like Suparaka, Nasika, Chemuli, Kalyana, Dhenukakata etc., The donors were from all class of the society, from the members of the royal families to the commoners. 



The entire group consisting of more than 100 caves is one of the biggest monastic  settlements  in India. The prominent caves are numbered as 1, 2, 3, 11, 32, 34, 38, 41, 67, 89, 90, etc. 



How to Reach: It is located in the north of Mumbai inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali.

34 comments:

Unknown said...

The top shot shows an amazing place!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Very interesting and historically important. I wonder what kind of tools they would have had to create the caves.

eileeninmd said...

Looks like a very nice national park to visit. Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing.

Alexa T said...

What an amazing ancient place to visit, so interesting site to learn about, for sure!!.. Thanks for sharing with us!

Fernando Santos (Chana) said...

Excelentes fotografias de valioso lugar....
Cumprimentos

Veronica Roth said...

It's been such an age since I've been to India, but I still remember bits. This is one of those unforgettable things, isn't it? Thank you for sharing. :) Hope you have a lovely week ahead.

P.N. Subramanian said...

Nice. It appears that you have been able to climb to the top where the cremations used to take place.

Anonymous said...

Interesting piece of history, thanks.

R Niranjan Das said...

Wonderful caves. Thanks for sharing this.

Ercotravels said...

Nature is great.These caves are really very great example of natural
Sculpture.

Lowell said...

Wow! That's a lot of caves! So the monks actually built them out of the rocks, being provided with gifts from wealthy people? Sounds like nothing much has changed. In the west, the churches, monks and priests still exist on the donations of members and other benefactors.

Sylvia K said...

What an incredible, fascinating place, Rajesh!! I would love to visit there, but your captures are the next best thing!! Have a great week!

Unknown said...

Very cool mosaic! I love to travel! Thanks for sharing.
~Rainey @ The Project Table~

Noel Morata said...

Wow, these are pretty cool caves Rajesh, thans for sharing them.

Fun60 said...

To my shame I have never heard of these caves.

Anonymous said...

this is so cool. I am not a huge Indian art person but this weekend I view an exhibit in Kansas City that made me fall in love with it. Just beautiful.

Maria @ The Good Life

Carver said...

Fascinating look at the caves.

Photo Cache said...

visiting the caves looks pretty challenging. did they construct a easier way to get into the caves?

Unknown said...

It's amazing how this cave was carved, also with detailed art. Definitely a worthwhile place to visit.

Anonymous said...

Fascinating caves!

Leovi said...

Wonderful photos! exciting get there on foot!

Reader Wil said...

It must be a great experience to see those caves and to enter them. Thanks for showing!
Wil, ABCW Team

Shailaja V said...

This is so beautiful! I have been to the Elephanta caves, not to this one, though.

Lovely!

MaR said...

How interesting and great place to visit.

K is for...

Unknown said...

I really want to go to these caves! Love your shots!

carol l mckenna said...

Always fascinating to see photos of your country ~ such history ~ namaste,

artmusedog and carol

Roger Owen Green said...

Ancient writings are so cool.

ROG, ABCW

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It is fascinating to think about the men who lived, meditated and prayed in these caves!

Nabanita said...

Nice place to have visited..!

Thomas Lee/Lee Lip Pang said...

Wow! Nice archaeological site.

Unknown said...

Woww I never heard about this ,You can also add kailash Cave of Chhattisgarh in your blog.

K V V S MURTHY said...

Beautiful captures...caves in the forest always give a mysterious look.

Ravish Mani said...

Wonderful photographs, Rajesh :)

Anonymous said...

wow...a treasure trove of ancient sculpture and cave art! great captures!