Kanheri Caves, Mumbai (must see)

The Kanheri Caves, also known as Kānherī-guhā, are a collection of caves and rock-cut monuments carved into a massive basalt rock formation located in the woodlands of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, situated on the former Salsette Island in the western outskirts of Mumbai. These caves are adorned with Buddhist sculptures, relief carvings, paintings, and inscriptions, dating back from the 1st century CE to the 10th century CE. The name "Kanheri" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Krishnagiri," which translates to "black mountain."

Perched on a hillside, the site is accessible via rock-cut steps and comprises a total of 109 caves. The older caves are relatively simple and unembellished in comparison to the later ones on the site, as well as the more ornate Elephanta Caves in Mumbai. Each cave features a stone platform that served as a bed, and a congregation hall with imposing stone pillars houses a stupa, which is a Buddhist shrine. Elaborate rock-cut channels above the caves channeled rainwater into cisterns, supplying the complex with water. Over time, as the caves were converted into permanent monastic dwellings, their walls were adorned with intricate reliefs depicting Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. By the 3rd century CE, Kanheri had evolved into a significant Buddhist settlement on the Konkan coast.

The majority of these caves were viharas, designed for the purposes of living, studying, and meditation. The larger caves, which functioned as chaityas or halls for communal worship, feature finely crafted Buddhist sculptures, reliefs, pillars, and rock-cut stupas. Among the distinctive figures found here is Avalokiteshwara. The abundance of viharas indicates the existence of a well-organized community of Buddhist monks. This community also had connections with various trade centers, including the ports of Sopara, Kalyan, Nasik, Paithan, and Ujjain. By the time of the Mauryan and Kushan empires, Kanheri had developed into a center of Buddhist learning, akin to a university. In the late 10th century, the renowned Buddhist teacher Atisha (980–1054) came to Krishnagiri Vihara to study Buddhist meditation under the guidance of Rahulagupta.