Despite having lived in Mumbai all my life, I had never ever visited Kanheri Caves. It took a few European friends of mine who were on their very first visit to India who got a strong recommendation for Kanheri Caves from a German tourist to have me explore the idea.
Nestled in Borivali East is a world that seems unexplored, untouched. Blanketed in green, enveloped on all sides by Mother Nature, these caves are perhaps the most untouched part of this crazy chaotic city of Mumbai.
You'll find it difficult to believe that we five were the ONLY tourists in this entire Kanheri zone.
These Buddhist caves are archaeological heritage monuments dating back to the period between 1st&10th century AD. A total of 110 caves including some that are inaccessible have the most aweinspiring carvings, frescoes & ancient paintings & engravings that one can ever imagine.
The access to these caves is from brilliantly maintained stairways that are as ancient as the caves themselves. The acoustics of some of the caves are phenomenal with perfect echoing that lends a mystic aura to the site.
One of the security guards offered to share his knowledge about the caves, precious information on their history, especially the different mudras of the Buddhist statues & the various components of the sculptures.
Make it a point to visit the topmost point which is a table-top part of the hillock.
Impossible to believe that such a serene verdant slice of land is a part of the cacophonic city of Mumbai.