Sanjay Gandhi National Park Borivali Mumbai.
In order to fully appreciate the park, you'll need to pack a picnic lunch and spend a full day there.
Mumbai is undoubtedly the glamour capital of India, but within the city boundary, there are a group of 118 monolithic Buddhist caves that date back to the 1st century BC.
Now a part of the Sanjaya Gandhi National Park of Mumbai’s Borivali locality, the Kanheri Caves were once inhabited by the monks as a refuge from the rains and harsh weather.
The word ‘Kanheri’ has been derived from the Hindi word Krishnagiri or Kanha-Giri, which means Krishna’s home (Krishna implies the dark one). Therefore, these caves have been named so because they have been formed of black basalt rock.
According to the archaeologists and historians, during their formative phase, they must have served as a temporary residence or ‘vasha vaasa’ (rain shelter) for the monks. The monks lived in these caves to live, study and meditate, and as a policy no woman was allowed to live in Kanheri Caves in the earlier stages and even as more and more time lapsed.
Over a period of time, the Kanheri Caves emerged as a centre of learning just like the famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
The caves were abandoned in the 11th century AD, and afterwards, they were re-discovered by a group of Japanese monks. It is from here an important school of Buddhism, popular in Japan, emanated.
Inside the caves, there is a large Vihara (prayer hall) and stupas, Buddhist shrines featuring Buddhist paintings and carvings on them. There are more than 30 unfinished paintings of Buddha. The Kanheri Caves have a complex system of water harvesting, which leaves the discerning visitor awestruck.
Noisy visitors fail to disturb the inherent peace of these caves. Plus, the dens are so cool from inside that you won’t mind spending time as a good escape from the Mumbai heat.
How to reach Kanheri Caves
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is well-connected to different parts of the city via bus, local trains and taxi. You can easily reach Borivali and reach the park. From the park, you can either take a shuttle or trek a bit to reach the caves. The Kanheri Caves are located at a height, so it is wise to carry a water bottle along and some food too. It is better to either purchase food or water from the shops present at the base of the caves, or get your food from home.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a 87 km² protected area in Mumbai, Maharashtra State in India. It was established in 1996 with headquarters at Borivali.
It is notable as one of the major national parks existing within a metropolis limit and is one of the most visited parks in the world.
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 6:30PM
Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park may not be as large or exotic as
some of the other national parks in India, but its accessibility makes
it very appealing. It's the only protected forest to be located within
the limits of a city. To enjoy nature amid concrete Mumbai, this is the
place to come! The park is also a great family destination, with plenty
to keep the kids amused.
Review of Sanjay Gandhi National Park
On one side of the busy Western Express Highway, roaring with
traffic, is a huge bridge. On the other side is the entrance to the
Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It's a stark contrast to Mumbai's sprawling
development.
The park is operated by the government, so it's not surprising that
its attractions close over lunch, and minimal tourist information and
facilities are provided. The only food available is from enterprising
locals selling water and snacks. Many of the park's sparse signboards
are are written in Marathi, the language of the state, and there aren't
any park brochures available for visitors. This makes it unclear as how
to best get around the park.
Substantial effort has been put into keeping the park clean in recent
years. If you want to take plastic items into the park, you'll need to
pay a refundable 50-100 rupee security deposit at the entrance. Bags are
usually searched by park officials at the entrance. Curiously, plastic
bottled water is widely available for sale inside the park.
Plan to arrive at the park early in the morning, otherwise your visit
will be hampered by the park's facilities shutting down for up to two
hours over lunch. This includes the shuttle bus to the Kanheri Buddhist
Caves.
The magnificent Kanheri caves are worth a visit on their own. There
are 109 of them in various sizes, scattered over a hilltop and
hand-carved out of volcanic rock. The largest has a deep chamber for
worship and towering sculptures of Buddha.
The park's lion and tiger safaris are also a big attraction, but
don't expect to see wild animals as it's a semi-caged environment.
Kanheri Caves in Mumbai are a treasure house of beauty and history
Mumbai is undoubtedly the glamour capital of India, but within the city boundary, there are a group of 118 monolithic Buddhist caves that date back to the 1st century BC.
Now a part of the Sanjaya Gandhi National Park of Mumbai’s Borivali locality, the Kanheri Caves were once inhabited by the monks as a refuge from the rains and harsh weather.
The word ‘Kanheri’ has been derived from the Hindi word Krishnagiri or Kanha-Giri, which means Krishna’s home (Krishna implies the dark one). Therefore, these caves have been named so because they have been formed of black basalt rock.
According to the archaeologists and historians, during their formative phase, they must have served as a temporary residence or ‘vasha vaasa’ (rain shelter) for the monks. The monks lived in these caves to live, study and meditate, and as a policy no woman was allowed to live in Kanheri Caves in the earlier stages and even as more and more time lapsed.
Over a period of time, the Kanheri Caves emerged as a centre of learning just like the famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
The caves were abandoned in the 11th century AD, and afterwards, they were re-discovered by a group of Japanese monks. It is from here an important school of Buddhism, popular in Japan, emanated.
Inside the caves, there is a large Vihara (prayer hall) and stupas, Buddhist shrines featuring Buddhist paintings and carvings on them. There are more than 30 unfinished paintings of Buddha. The Kanheri Caves have a complex system of water harvesting, which leaves the discerning visitor awestruck.
Noisy visitors fail to disturb the inherent peace of these caves. Plus, the dens are so cool from inside that you won’t mind spending time as a good escape from the Mumbai heat.
How to reach Kanheri Caves
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is well-connected to different parts of the city via bus, local trains and taxi. You can easily reach Borivali and reach the park. From the park, you can either take a shuttle or trek a bit to reach the caves. The Kanheri Caves are located at a height, so it is wise to carry a water bottle along and some food too. It is better to either purchase food or water from the shops present at the base of the caves, or get your food from home.
No comments:
Post a Comment