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Kanheri Caves

The Kanheri Caves form an extensive complex of 109 caves cut into a basalt hill within Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where visitors explore Buddhist monastic spaces dating from the 1st to the 10th century AD, with simple cells, stone beds and assembly halls with large pillars and stupas carved from the rock. In the larger caves, which served as chaityas, intricate Buddhist sculptures and reliefs can be seen, notably the figure of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, while the walls of many caves show inscriptions in various ancient scripts and reliefs reflecting the site's artistic and religious development. Access to the site is via steps cut into the rock, and besides the sculptures and paintings, visitors can see ancient channels that once collected rainwater to supply the complex's cisterns.

Things to do at Kanheri Caves: 5 missions

• Observe the reliefs of Buddha and the bodhisattvas carved into the wallsWalk through the larger caves, noting the figures carved into their walls.
• Follow the channels and rainwater cisterns above the cavesLook above the caves for the carved channels that carried rainwater to the complex's cisterns.
• Enter the assembly hall with its stupa and stone pillarsEnter the great hall of worship and walk between the enormous pillars to the stupa.
• Climb the steps cut into the rock of the hillsideClimb the hillside using the carved steps that give access to the caves.
• Explore Cave No. 2Cave No. 2 is a long cave, open at the front.

Near Kanheri Caves