Mahakali Caves

Kondivite Caves
Kondivite Caves
	Kondivite Caves, Cave 2.
Location	Andheri (East), Near Caves road, Mumbai
Coordinates	19°07′50″N 72°52′27″E / 19.130436°N 72.874133°E
Elevation	70 m (230 ft)
Geology	Basalt
Entrances	20
Difficulty	easy

The Mahakali Caves, also Kondivite Caves, are a group of 19 rock-cut monuments built between 1st century BCE and 6th century CE.^[1]

This Buddhist monastery is located in the eastern suburb of Andheri in the city of Mumbai (Bombay) in western India. Monument consists of two groups of rock-cut caves - 4 caves more to the north-west and 15 caves more to the south-east. Most caves are viharas and cells for monks, but Cave 9 of south-eastern group is chaitya. Caves in north-west have been created mainly in 4th - 5th century, while south-eastern group is older. Monument contains also rock-cut cisterns and remnants of other structures.

Caves are carved out of a solid black basalt rock,(volcanic trap breccias, prone to weathering).

The largest cave at Kondivite (Cave 9) has seven depictions of the Buddha and figures from Buddhist mythology but all are mutilated.^[2]

It is located near the junction between the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road and SEEPZ. The road that connects these monuments to Andheri Kurla Road is named Mahakali Caves Road after it. The caves are located on a hill that overlooks the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road and the SEEPZ++ area.^[3] A Direct bus run by the BEST links the caves with Andheri station. The caves was in danger of being encroached upon, now it is steel fenced on the road side and walled on the hill side.^{[clarification needed]}

Kondivite Caves
Buddha Stupa in Cave 9.
Volume plan of Cave 9.

References

^ Jaisinghani, Bella (13 July 2009). "Ancient caves battle neglect". Times of India. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
^ Bavadam, Lyla (18–31 July 2009). "In a shambles". Frontline. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
^ Gaur, Abhilash (25 January 2004). "Pay dirt: Treasure amidst Mumbai's trash". The Tribune. Retrieved 1 September 2008.

External links

Media related to Mahakali Caves at Wikimedia Commons

[1] Jaisinghani, Bella (13 July 2009). "Ancient caves battle neglect". Times of India. Retrieved 28 October 2009.

[2] Bavadam, Lyla (18–31 July 2009). "In a shambles". Frontline. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2009.

[paydirt-3] Gaur, Abhilash (25 January 2004). "Pay dirt: Treasure amidst Mumbai's trash". The Tribune. Retrieved 1 September 2008.

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[2]

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v t e Indian Buddhist caves
Andhra Pradesh	Adapur Caves Belum Caves Chandavaram Erravaram Caves Guntupalli Caves Kotturu Dhanadibbalu Pandavula Metta Caves Ramateertham Sankaram Undavalli Caves
Bihar	Indrasala Cave Vulture Peak Saptaparni Cave Lomas Rishi Cave
Gujarat	Dhank Caves Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups Khapra Kodiya Caves Bava Pyara Caves Uparkot Caves Kadia Dungar Caves Khambhalida Caves Sana Caves Siyot Caves Talaja Caves
Karnataka	Aihole Badami cave temples Pandava Caves
Madhya Pradesh	Bagh Caves Dhamnar Caves Saru Maru
Maharashtra	Ajanta Caves Ambivali Caves Aurangabad Caves Bahrot Caves Bedse Caves Bhaja Caves Dharashiv Caves Ellora Caves Mahad/Gandharpale Caves Ghatotkacha Caves Ghorawadi/Shelarwadi Caves Karla Caves Karad Caves Khed Caves Kondana Caves Kuda Caves Nenavali Caves Nasik/Pandavleni Caves Panhalakaji Caves Patan caves Pitalkhora Pohale Caves Shirwal Caves Nadsur/Thanale Caves Vijasan Caves Wai Caves Yerphal Caves In the Mumbai area: Elephanta Caves Jogeshwari Caves Kondivite/Mahakali Caves Mandapeshwar Caves Kanheri Caves In the Junnar area: Lenyadri Manmodi Caves Shivneri Caves Tulja Caves
Rajasthan	Binnayaga Buddhist Caves Hathiagor Buddhist Caves Kolvi Caves

See also

References

External links