The city of Mumbai is not just confined to Marine Drive or Mannat. There is a long untold history of Mumbai which is usually not mentioned. One such history is of Kanheri Caves in Mumbai which dates back to the 1st century AD. This ancient Kanheri Caves history is an important artifact to the Buddhist history in India. Kanheri Caves also known as Kanheri Gufa derived from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri which is Black Mountain. Kanheri Caves are carved out of the mountains in the Salsette island, now in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In the suburb side of Mumbai Kanheri Caves are located in Boravali.
There are around 109 caves carved out of the mountain. These caves are an abode of Buddhist sculptures, inscriptions, paintings, and carvings that date back from the 1st century AD to the 10th Century AD. For over 10 centuries these caves were the Buddhist viharas meant for studying, meditation, and living. At this time in Mumbai Kanheri Caves are the most ancient architectural sight.
By the 3rd century AD, Kanheri Caves in Mumbai gained importance in the Konkan region. It is estimated that Kanheri Caves were built as Vihars for the Buddhist Monks. These viharas were used for meditation, prayers, studying, and living abode for the Buddhist monks. Once the monastery for the Buddhist monks, Kanheri Caves later became a major center of learning. Over time Kanheri Caves were introduced with a new set of rituals which were followed by the Buddhist Monks. By the 6th century AD escortic like Tantric Buddhism was also introduced. There are around 64 Stupas of the Aachriya (Teachers) which dates back to 5-6 Century AD.
It is believed that the important school of Buddhism followed in Japan emanated. Cave no 90 depicts the famous Lotus Sutra, as there are various sects based on that particular sutra. The cave was abandoned in the 11th century and later after around 1000 years a Japanese Monk arrived at the Kanheri caves which were not easily accessible back then to identify cave no 90 and wrote down the sutra. There is no clear reason why the monks had to abandon Kanheri Caves and move out.
In the 15th century, these caves were found by the Portugues and it is said that they used this region for their Artilleries practice. Because of this, you can see that some of the caves are broken.
