Mahakali Caves

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

Kondivite Caves
Kondivite Caves, Cave 2.
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Location	Andheri (East), Near Caves road, Mumbai
Coordinates	19.130436°N 72.874133°E / 19.130436; 72.874133
Elevation	70 m (230 ft)
Geology	Basalt
Entrances	20
Difficulty	easy

This Buddhist monastery is located in the eastern suburb of Andheri in the city of Mumbai (Bombay) in western India.^[2] The monument consists of two groups of rock-cut caves – four 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 the south-eastern group is chaitya. Caves in the northwest have been created mainly in the 4th – 5th century, while the south-eastern group is older. The 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.^[3]

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.^[4] A Direct bus run by the BEST links the caves with Andheri station. The caves were in danger of being encroached upon, but now it is steel fenced on the roadside and walled on the hillside.^{[clarification needed]}

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

See also

• India portal

• Indian rock-cut architecture

References

1. Jaisinghani, Bella (13 July 2009). "Ancient caves battle neglect". Times of India. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
2. Kumar, R. (2003). Essays on Indian Art and Architecture. History and culture series. Discovery Publishing House. p. 12. ISBN 978-81-7141-715-5. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
3. Bavadam, Lyla (18–31 July 2009). "In a shambles". Frontline. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
4. 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

• The Mahakali Caves – Secret World