KANHERI CAVES
Key facts about the Kanheri Caves :
Kanheri caves, Mumbai
- Kanheri caves complex consists of 102 caves and rock-cut monuments built around two hills.
- Caves inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai are a historical site of immense importance.
- Kanheri was the home of a large Buddhist community for over a thousand years.
- The earliest recorded structures in the complex date to the second century CE, while textual records attest to the continued use of the caves as late as the 12th century.
- The earliest reference of Kanheri is ascribed to Fa-Hein who visited India during 399-411 CE and later by several other travellers.
- At Kanheri, we find both the Chaityas and Viharas.
- While creating them, the elements of wooden construction have been retained.
- Kanheri caves were flourished under the patronage of Satavahana, Traikutakas, Vakatakas and Silaharas and rest made by the wealthy merchants of the region.
FAMOUS FINDINGS :
- They contain Buddhist sculptures and relief carvings, paintings and inscriptions.
- DARBAR CAVE (cave no. 11).
Darbar cave
- 20ft high STANDING BUDDHA of Sarnath style.
- The Buddha in Padmasana with attendants in Cave 90.
- A proper chaitya hall that is 90ft deep and 40ft high.
- Prayer Hall and two giant pillars on either side engraved with motifs.
- Sculpture of YAKSHAS, DWARPALAS AND MAITHUNA couples.
- A great chaitya in cave no. 3.
IMPORTANCE :
- The great architectural and sculptural heritage sites of Kanheri caves displays the level of knowledge about art, engineering, management and construction that people had back then.
Syllabus : Prelims + Mains; GS1 – Art and Culture
