Kanheri is the only clue of the rise and fall of Buddhism in Western India
The Kanheri caves are located 10 km away from Borivali, and in the midst of the Sanjay GandhiNational Park, Maharashtra.
Here there are 109 tiny rock-cut cells, carved into the side of a hill, located on the border of one of the worst slums in Asia. Unlike the elegant splendor of Elephanta Caves nearby, these are
sparten and unadorned. Each cave has a stone plinth for a bed. A congregation hall with huge
stone pillars contains the stupa, a Buddhist shrine. Farther up the hill are the remains of an
ancient water system, canals and cisterns that collected and channeled the rainwater into huge
tanks. [2] These caves are dated from 1st Century B.C. to 9th Century A.D. Most of them are the Buddhist Viharas which was meant for their residence, study, and meditation. A few Chaityas are seen containing rock-cut stupas meant for congregational worship. The large number of Viharas obviously prove a well-organized existence of Buddhist monks' establishment, which was also connected with many trade centers such as the ports of Sopara, Kalyan, Nasik, Paithan and Ujjain. Kanheri was a well-flourished University center at that time when the area was under the rule of the Maurayan and Kushan empires. The caves lie , a National Park in northern Mumbai.
The caves are at a height of about 450 metres (1,500 feet) above sea level and command a
panoramic view of the surroundings. The Arabian Sea, and the Vasai Creek can be seen in the distance. In fact, Kanheri is probably the only clue to the rise and fall of Buddhism in Western
India."
There are many sculptured statues of Buddha, on the outer sides of the wall, mainly in the
Avalokiteswara incarnation. There are, nevertheless, difference in the artistic representation, when contrasted with one another, may be due to the difference of time when they were built.
posted by Rishil Babu @ 8:32 AM,
