Kanheri Caves ( English Kanheri caves , Marath. कान्हेरी गुहा ) is a well-preserved Buddhist cave temple and monastery complex near Borivali , a suburb of Mumbai in the northwest of Mumbai Island in India .
| Monastery | |
| Canchery | |
|---|---|
| कान्हेरी गुहा Kanheri caves | |
 The main vihara of the Kanheri temple and monastery complex | |
| A country |  India |
| Location | Borivali National Park , Mumbai Island |
| Denomination | Buddhism |
| Building | |
| 109 caves | |
| condition | Tourist facility |
Description
Well preserved thanks to the jungle that has hidden it, the Kanheri cave complex carved in basalt is located 42 km from the city of Mumbai and is surrounded by the Borivali National Park . It has 109 caves created in the period of II century. BC e. - IX century n e., connected by carved from stone step spans. The most important of them is the Cave No. 3 of the VI century, the latest known example of the Hinayana prayer hall - the tea-party.
Other important caves:
- the so-called Durbar Hall with statues of Buddhist monks
- Cave No. 34 - cell with a painted ceiling with the image of Buddha
- Cave number 41, where, among other sculptures, there is a twelve-headed sculpture of Avalokiteshvara;
- Cave No. 67 is an extensive cell with a statue on the veranda and an image of the “miracle” of Buddha in Shravasti .
Excavations in Kanheri discovered a number of sculptures, as well as monuments of Brahmi writing. The find of stone-carved texts on Brahmi shed significant light on the language of India in ancient times. Other important details are ancient architectural structures preserved in details, furnishings, including ascetic stone beds, water tanks (with gutters above residential buildings, to collect rainwater).
Photos
View of the cave complex from the foot Stone carved staircase to the caves Stone steps and cave number 1 Buddha statue Brahmi Writing Monument in Kanheri Cave number 90