Kanheri Caves - Ancient Buddhist Rock-Cut Monuments in Mumbai

Mumbai, MaharashtraCAVE

Explore over 100 ancient Buddhist caves carved into a hillside within Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park, dating from the 1st century BCE.

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Info

CAVE

Info

2-3 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Located deep inside Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Kanheri Caves are a complex of over 100 rock-cut monuments carved into a massive basaltic rock outcrop. Dating from the 1st century BCE to the 11th century CE, this site served as a major Buddhist settlement for learning and meditation. As you walk through the area, you'll encounter a series of caves of varying sizes, from small single-room shelters (viharas) for monks to large halls with ornate pillars and stupas (chaityas) for congregational worship.

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Location & Address

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali East, Borivali East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is from October to March, when the weather is cool and pleasant for walking and exploring. The post-monsoon months of October and November are particularly good, with lush greenery. The monsoon season (June to September) offers a different experience with waterfalls and a vibrant landscape, but be prepared for rain and slippery paths. It is best to avoid the summer months of April and May due to high heat and humidity, which can make the climb strenuous.
Peak Crowd: Weekends (especially Sundays), public holidays, and during winter months (December-January).
Moderate Crowd: Weekdays during the winter season (October-February) and post-monsoon.
Low Crowd: Weekday mornings, and during the peak summer months (April-June).

How to Reach

Air

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is the nearest airport, located about 20 km away. A taxi or cab from the airport can take 45-90 minutes depending on traffic.

Train

Borivali station is the closest major railway station, well-connected by both the Mumbai Suburban Railway (Western Line) and long-distance trains. The park entrance is about 2 km from the station.

Road

The caves are located inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which is situated just off the Western Express Highway (NH 48) in Borivali. It is easily reachable by car, taxi, or bus from any part of Mumbai.

Local Transport

From Borivali station, auto-rickshaws and BEST buses are readily available to reach the park gate. Inside the park, a regular shuttle bus service operates to and from the caves. Bicycles can also be rented.