The visit to Kanheri Rock Cut Cave Nos. 50 and 93, of Mumbai, was part of “Rock Cut Cave Temples of Maharashtra Visit”, from 28th February to 3rd March 2026.
The largest and one of the earliest Buddhist cave complexes in India is located at Kanheri, which lies on the eastern side of Borivali in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai. The name Kanheri has been derived from Kanhagiri in Prakrit, as mentioned in the Nasik inscription of Satvahana king Vashathiputra Pulumavi. In Sanskrit, it is known as Krishnagiri, meaning dark Hills like the colour of Krishna. Kanheri was frequently mentioned in the travelogues of foreign travellers. It is a unique Buddhist monastic establishment which sheds light on different phases of the development of cave architecture from the 2nd century CE to the 11th century CE. The various Buddhist sects were coeval and flourished at Kanheri, like the Mahasamghikas, Chetiyas, and Parasellyas. Bhadravaniya. Dharmottariyas, Saddharmapundarika sect in Vajrayana Buddhism. The site reflects a beautiful blend of art and architecture of the Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism, with enormous epigraphical data of their respective contemporary period.
There are more than 110 caves, hewed out of volcanic breccia (rock composed of broken fragments of minerals), considered as a single rock. These caves spread over half a kilometre in length, hewn on different terrace on either side of a seasonal rivulet. These caves are of two types: chaitya and viharas. The chaitya consists of a sanctum, verandah and outer courtyard approached through a flight of steps with flanking water cisterns on either side. The water cisterns are chiselled in the rock, so that the direct rainwater is channelled into these cisterns. This gives evidence of an ancient rainwater harvesting system. The viharas are architecturally monotypic but variable in size with one or multiple cells, a verandah with two or more pillars in front, and an open courtyard with rock-cut benches along the walls.
The cave numbers 3, 11, 34, 41, 67, 87 and 90 are most important and are incepted eloquently with pillars, grilled walls and images. In this article, we are uploading some images of the caves No. 50 and 93 with inscriptions.
CAVE No. 50.
There are a few sculptures in this Cave. Buddha is shown here in meditation with various mudras. An inscription is found at the entrance of the inner cave. Two jalas with a simple design are on both sides of the entrance to the cave, for natural lighting and ventilation.
Jala
CAVE No. 93.
There
are a few sculptures in this Cave. Buddha is shown here in Muchilindra
form, i.e. with Cobra hood & inscription on the water cistern.
LOCATION OF THE CAVES: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---