|
|
|
| Kanheri
Caves at the Borivili National Park |
Where
Trekking & History Meet
This forest has a history dated back to 4th century
B.C. Sopara (Nala Sopara) and Kalyan were two ports
near Mumbai, which were important ports for trade with
Greece and Middle East. |
 |
The
trade route connecting the trade center and these passed
through this forest. The rock cut caves of Kanheri were
ancient Buddhists settlements dating back the 1st Century,
on this route and also served as rest houses for travellers.
The word Kanheri originates from the Sanskrit word "Krishnagiri"
which means "Black Mountain".
Presenting
an accessible and interesting glimpse of the history
and the culture of Buddhist India, the Kanheri Caves
are located well within the park area and is a major
point of interest, Most of these 109 Buddhist caves,
chiseled out of the volcanic rock are simple small chambers,
known as Viharas (cells for monks).
A
few are larger and deeper chambers known as Chaityas
(for congregational worship). |
 |
The
main Chaitya has colossal figures of the standing Buddha
- 7 m. tall - on each side of the entrance porch, a
colonnade of 34 pillars surrounding the interior halls
and an overtopped Stupa (shrine) at the far end, all
carved from the stone in place. |
These caves date back from the 1st century BC to
the 9th century AD, indicating a rather well organized
Buddhist establishment of monks who dwelled on the
ancient trade route connecting a number of trade centers
and Indian ports. The whole cave area is the site
of nearly 100 or more inscriptions - three of these
are in Pallavis, two in Sanskrit, one in Devnagri
and the rest in Brahmi script.
The most unique or rare motifs, which appear at
Kanheri Caves, are:
The eleven headed Avalokiteshwara.
Makara, which appears on the Buddha's throne at about
shoulder level.
The
best time to visit:
The park is unique in its nature and each season has
its own charm, making it difficult to pick a particular
time as the best. For sheer enjoyment of the greenery,
wilderness and the many tiny waterfalls and streams,
the monsoon is the best time.
|
The
park is a tree lover's delight in all seasons, with
great amount of biodiversity ranging from Kadamb, Shrish,
Pongamia Pianata Karanj, Teak, Sesum to species of Acacia,
Zizyphus and evergreen patches of Euphorbia. In the
drier months from February to May, spectacular |
 |
flowering
of Butea Monosperma (Flame of the forest) is a real
feast to the eye.
Flowering of Red silk cotton and Indian coral tree add
colour. There are large patches of Bamboo, which make
the feel of the jungle even better. The forest has a
lot of Liana (Woody climbers), remnants from a wetter,
greener past, many species of Orchids and a large variety
of shrubs.
Every monsoon is a riot of colours from the violet of
Zingiberaceae species to the stark white of Costus species.
Among the many spectacular sights one which is definitely
is most worthy, is the seven yearly mass flowering of
Strobilanthes species (Karvi).
It is a feature of the Western Ghats and one can find
extensive flowering in the park. Thousands and thousands
of these flowers cover the hilltops giving a purple
touch to this beautiful landscape.
For bird watching and general viewing along with climbs
at Kanheri Hills, November to February is ideal, when
the weather is cooler and the air crisper. However,
if you're interested in some serious mammal tracking,
April-May seems the best bet, when the water supply
is limited and visibility is the greatest as the animals
come out to cool off at the watering holes. |
 |
Visitors:
Over two million people visit the park annually. An
average of 8,000 to 10,000 visitors every day makes
it amongst the most visited parks in India. On Shivaratri
(auspicious day of Lord Shiva), the temple near the
Kanheri Caves |
attracts
more than one hundred thousand devotees and pilgrims.
A
lot of serious trekkers who climb and do rappelling
are found here.
Suburban
trains are the frequent and a very popular means. Mumbai
Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Central Railway) and Mumbai
Central (Western Railway) is the nearest Railway terminus,
which are about 40 km & 36 km from the park. Borivili
is the nearest railway station from where the park entrance
is less than 2 km away.
Buses ply regularly (Route No - 188), on Sunday's and
public holidays. Chartered vehicles frequently bring
groups throughout the week.
The nearest international airport, Sahar is about 20
km from the park's entrance. Santacruz is the nearest
domestic airport. At a distance of 16 kms this airport
connects Mumbai to all major cities in India. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
