TOURISM IN MAHAKALI

 The Mahakali Caves are one of the major attractions

of Mumbai and they adorn the western suburb in
Andheri. There is a group of nineteen caves that
together form the Mahakali Caves and each of these
caves are beautiful and exhibit architectural working
out on the interiors and exteriors.
 The largest cave at
Kondivite (Cave 9) has
seven depictions of the
Buddha and figures from
Buddhist mythology
 The Caves have an enormous basaltic rock as
their backdrop and the entire site gives in for an
ambience which the tourists and visitors would
never like to miss out on while on a trip to
Mumbai. Lord Buddha and the Buddhist religion
have been beautifully depicted in these caves
and this is why in spite of being endangered,
these caves are of major attraction amongst all.
 While the caves are open from 8am to 5pm  Monument consists of
everyday, footfall is seen only during two groups of rock-cut
weekends. During weekdays, the locals are caves - 4 caves more to
seen frequenting the caves but during the north-west and 15
weekends, there is considerable crowd. The
maintenance of these caves is taken care of caves more to the south-
by a person appointed by the Central east. Most caves
Government. are viharas and cells for
monks, but Cave 9 of
south-eastern group
is chaitya. Caves in north-
west have been created
mainly in 4th - 5th
century, while south-
eastern group is older.
TOURISM IN KANHERI
 Location:Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali,
Mumbai
 Attractions: Basalt formations, 109 special entrances,
deciduous green forests, ancient architecture.
 Kanheri Caves Mumbai one of the airiest places
in the city, the Kanheri Caves premises offers a
pleasant break from the pollution and the noisy,
metropolitan life.
 Nestled in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park at
Borivali, the Kanheri Caves are also known as
the 'lungs of Mumbai', because this is the only
place in the city with the maximum amount of
greenery and consequently, a lot of fresh air.
 The caves date back to 1st century BC and are
believed to be one of the oldest cave formations
of the country.
 The Kanheri Caves are renowned for their
natural Basalt formations, ancient Indian styled
architecture and the 109 special entrances to
the caves.
 The word Kanheri originates from
the Sanskrit term 'Krishnagiri'.
Each cave here, unlike the other
caves in the country, is adorned
with a 'splinth' or a rock bed.
Congregation halls with large
stupas also indicate that the
caves were Buddhist shrines and
a focal point during the Buddhist
settlement in the 3rd century.
 A Cluster Of Rock Cut
Monuments.
 When one visits the Kanheri Caves,
there is a lot to see, in terms of what the
caves have to offer and even around the
caves.
 There are about 34 unfinished paintings
of Buddha within the Caves.
 Apart from the paintings, one should
also visit the 'Vihara' (prayer hall) and
the different monasteries around the
cave for a glimpse of former Buddhist
occupation and life.
 The Kanheri Caves became a
distinctive Buddhist institution for
congregational worship, study and
meditation.
  The hilly terrain of the caves also
creates several, small waterfalls which
are beautiful to see.
 Natural streams and rivers around the
Kanheri Caves offer stunning views
and beautiful locations for families to
enjoy a small picnic while visiting the
caves.
 Kanheri was a University center by
the time the area was under the rule of
the Maurayan and Kushan empires.

 Most of the caves were  The Kanheri Caves are one of the
Buddhist viharas, meant most popular tourist destinations in
for living, studying, and Mumbai. Apart from the caves, feel
meditating. free to explore the Sanjay Gandhi
 The larger caves, which National Park, but with supervision
functioned as chaityas, or and permission from the local
halls for congregational authorities. The caves offer
worship, are lined with tourists and picnickers a perfect
intricately carved Buddhist getaway and transport visitors into
sculptures, reliefs, pillars a historical world that once
and rock-cut stupas. flourished.