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Kanheri Caves

Kanheri Caves: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Mumbai: Kanheri Cave Half-Day Tour

1. From Mumbai: Kanheri Cave Half-Day Tour

Start your private tour with a pickup from your accommodation in Mumbai, head to the Kanheri Caves, located deep within the green forests of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, one of Asia’s major national parks. The caves are a marvelous architectural feat. All 109 of them were chiseled and carved out of a huge basaltic rock outcrop. The smaller caves, known as viharas, served as resting places for the monks. The larger caves, known as chaityas, are lined with various exquisitely carved Buddhist sculptures and were commonly used as places for worship. Depending on your hotel location and the traffic conditions, the drive to Kanheri Caves takes about 1 to 1.5-hours. Relax in a comfortable air-conditioned car till you are dropped off at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where the caves are situated. Your guide will take you around five of the biggest and most significant caves. You will also have some free time to explore and walk around on your own. In the main hall stands the towering figure of the Lord Buddha measuring about 7 meters in height. The interior has a colonnade of 34 majestically carved pillars. The eleven-headed Avalokiteshwara is the most distinctive motif. There are about 100 inscriptions in different scripts - Brahmi, Devnagri, Pallavi, and Sanskrit. At the end of your tour, head back to your accommodation in Mumbai with excellent memories of the day.

Mumbai: Kanheri Caves and The Golden Pagoda Temple

2. Mumbai: Kanheri Caves and The Golden Pagoda Temple

Embark on an enlightening journey to explore the Kanheri Caves and the magnificent Golden Vipassana Pagoda with a local guide. See two of Mumbai's most culturally rich and spiritually significant sites all in one day. Start your journey with a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Mumbai. Step into your air-conditioned vehicle and make your way to your first location. Step back in time as you venture into the heart of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park where the Kanheri Caves are tucked away amidst pristine natural surroundings. These rock-cut caves, dating back to the 1st century BCE, served as a vital centre for Buddhist learning and meditation. Wander through this ancient complex and be awed by the intricate sculptures, ancient inscriptions, and the serene ambiance that still resonates with spiritual energy. Marvel at the skill of the artisans who carved out these chambers from the solid basalt rock, creating magnificent Chaityas (prayer halls) and Viharas (monastic cells). Listen to your guide's narration about the history and significance of each cave, giving you a deeper understanding of Buddhism's influence in the region. Head to your next stop, the inspiring Golden Vipassana Pagoda, a shining symbol of mindfulness and meditation. This monumental structure with its golden dome glistening in the sunlight, stands as a beacon of peace and tranquility. It is one of the largest pagodas in Asia and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and Mumbai's skyline. Head inside the pagoda and find an intricately designed meditation hall, adorned with exquisite stone carvings and a towering golden idol of Lord Buddha. The pagoda serves as a centre for Vipassana meditation, a practice that fosters self-awareness and inner harmony. Throughout this enlightening journey your guide will provide insights into Buddhism, its practices, and the importance of meditation in modern life. Whether you're a spiritual seeker or simply curious about the rich cultural heritage of Mumbai, this tour promises an immersive and enlightening experience. As your day concludes, you'll leave these sacred sites with a deeper appreciation for Mumbai's cultural diversity and a sense of inner peace inspired by the timeless teachings of Buddhism.

Mumbai: Private Kanheri Caves Guided Tour

3. Mumbai: Private Kanheri Caves Guided Tour

Begin your private tour with a convenient pickup from your Mumbai accommodation, and head to the Kanheri Caves, located deep within the lush greenery of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, one of Asia's prominent national parks. These caves are a magnificent architectural achievement, with all 109 of them meticulously carved out of a massive basaltic rock outcrop. The smaller caves, known as viharas, served as resting places for monks, while the larger caves, called chaityas, are adorned with intricately carved Buddhist sculptures and were used for worship. The drive to Kanheri Caves takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your hotel's location and traffic conditions. Relax in the comfort of an air-conditioned car until you arrive at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where the caves are situated. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you to five of the most significant caves and provide insights into their historical and spiritual significance. You'll also have some free time to explore and wander on your own. Inside the main hall stands a towering 7-meter-high figure of Lord Buddha, surrounded by a colonnade of 34 beautifully carved pillars. One of the most distinctive features is the eleven-headed Avalokiteshwara. Additionally, you'll find about 100 inscriptions in various scripts, including Brahmi, Devnagri, Pallavi, and Sanskrit. At the conclusion of your tour, return to your Mumbai accommodation, carrying with you cherished memories of a day spent exploring the Kanheri Caves, a remarkable blend of history, spirituality, and natural beauty within the bustling city of Mumbai.

Mumbai: 6-hours Kanheri Caves and National Park Tour

4. Mumbai: 6-hours Kanheri Caves and National Park Tour

The Kanheri or Kanhasela Caves are a major point of interest, presenting an accessible and interesting glimpse into the history and culture of Buddhism in India. 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 cave has a colossal Buddha, 7 meters in height, on each side of the entrance, as well as a colonnade of 34 pillars surrounding the interior halls and a stupa (shrine) at the far end, all carved into the existing basaltic rock. Your 6-hour tour from Mumbai with a private driver and guide will show you all these highlights, and more.

Mumbai: Kanheri Buddhist Caves Private Tour

5. Mumbai: Kanheri Buddhist Caves Private Tour

Start your day with a complementary morning pickup from your chosen location, then relax in your private air-conditioned vehicle on the 1-hour drive to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where the Kanheri Caves are located. The 109 basalt rock caves were carved between the 1st century BC and 9th century AD, and the site served for more than 1,500 years as a center for Buddhist monks. Climb a flight of rock steps to arrive at the caves, which contain elaborately carved sculptures, pillars, and stupas, along with paintings of the Buddha and the Vihara (prayer hall). The cave complex was home to a renowned Buddhist university, with rock-cut rooms that were used for study, meditation, and living quarters. Spend about two hours exploring the caves with your guide, then return to Mumbai where your tour ends with hotel drop-off.

Mumbai: Private tour for Kanheri Caves and Golden Pagoda

6. Mumbai: Private tour for Kanheri Caves and Golden Pagoda

Begin your private tour with a convenient pickup from your Mumbai accommodation, and head to the Kanheri Caves, located deep within the lush greenery of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, one of Asia's prominent national parks. These caves are a magnificent architectural achievement, with all 109 of them meticulously carved out of a massive basaltic rock outcrop. The smaller caves, known as viharas, served as resting places for monks, while the larger caves, called chaityas, are adorned with intricately carved Buddhist sculptures and were used for worship. The drive to Kanheri Caves takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your hotel's location and traffic conditions. Relax in the comfort of an air-conditioned car until you arrive at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where the caves are situated. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you to five of the most significant caves and provide insights into their historical and spiritual significance. You'll also have some free time to explore and wander on your own. Inside the main hall stands a towering 7-meter-high figure of Lord Buddha, surrounded by a colonnade of 34 beautifully carved pillars. One of the most distinctive features is the eleven-headed Avalokiteshwara. Additionally, you'll find about 100 inscriptions in various scripts, including Brahmi, Devnagri, Pallavi, and Sanskrit. At the conclusion of your tour, return to your Mumbai accommodation, carrying with you cherished memories of a day spent exploring the Kanheri Caves, a remarkable blend of history, spirituality, and natural beauty within the bustling city of Mumbai. After visiting the Kanheri caves catch a ferry which will leads towards Golden Vipassana Pagoda The Golden Vipassana Pagoda in Gorai, Mumbai, is a remarkable blend of spiritual devotion and architectural beauty. Its resplendent golden exterior symbolizes enlightenment and offers a serene escape from Mumbai's bustling life. Inside, it holds Gautama Buddha's relics, attracting pilgrims and seekers alike. The pagoda's Burmese-inspired design, devoid of supporting pillars, showcases both artistry and ancient construction prowess. Surrounded by lush greenery and offering views of the Arabian Sea, it's a symbol of peace in Mumbai. In essence, it's a place where visitors find inner peace and connect with Buddhist teachings amidst the city's vibrancy. After a great experience of the Kanheri Caves and Golden Vipassana Pagoda lead towards the hotel and have great lifetime memories.

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What people are saying about Kanheri Caves

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 7 reviews

Travelling as a solo female my main priority is safety followed by price as most tour companies charge a solo traveller double. This company only charged 1/3 more which I thought was fair. Picked up on time by driver and guide Mystical Mumbai Guide Anthony - driven an hour to Kanheri Caves and handed over to a specialist guide Prof. Ganesh T Vakale who is an accredited guide for Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves. Caught the park bus for the 7km trip up to the caves and then spent a good 2-3 hours with Ganesh telling me the 2000+ year history of the caves and all of the interesting facts. A really fantastic educational experience and I also saw monkeys which was a treat. You need to be able to do a lot of stairs for the higher caves but not too many to get to the lowest ones if you go slow. Take a water bottle and a hat it gets very hot. Much appreciation to Mystical Mumbai tours for putting on an unforgettable excursion.