The #MahakaliCaves (#Kondivite / #KondivitaCaves), are a series of rock-cut shrines 5km SE of #Joges

The #MahakaliCaves (#Kondivite / #KondivitaCaves), are a series of rock-cut shrines 5km SE of #JogeshwariCaves in #Mumbai. With excavations dating from between the 1st century B.C.E. and 6th century C.E, the complex consists of 19 caves cut into the summit of a hill; 15 on the SE side, 4 on the NW side. Long before the urban sprawl of Mumbai swallowed up this area it was known as Marol village. Several fresh water tanks used to exist which have long since disappeared. There’s a number of variations of the site name. J.M. Campbell (1882) refers to it as #Kondivite or #KondivtiCaves on account of the caves being close to #KondivtiVillage, #Fergusson (1880) names it #KondiwteCaves, whereas S.R. Wauchop (1933) elects to call it #MahakelCaves. Ironically for a Buddhist site, the present day name of #Mahakali is derived from a nearby #HinduTemple. Efforts have been made recently to protect the monument from encroachment and misuse, with a perimeter fence preventing the site from illicit liquor distilling, or frequented by sex workers. Cave 9 (#ChaityaCave) is the main cave of the complex and most likely the oldest excavation here. Locals call it #AnasichaKamara (granary) due to the shape of the semi-circular shrine at the end of the hall. The open hall itself faces E with no supported pillars at the entrance. J.M. Campbell recorded only two other circular shrine-like structures that are similar to this; Sudama and Lomas #RishiCaves, both in #Bihar. Some scholars state that this could be the earliest Chaitya in Western India. The stupa is enclosed by a circular wall with perforated lattice windows. Campbell makes reference to a Pali inscription near one of the lattice windows, dated to the 3rd century C.E. and states : ‘Gift of a vihara, with his brother, by Pittimba, a Brahman of Gautama gotra, an inhabitant of Pachi Kama‘ The walls of the hall were originally bare, but later carved with images of Buddha. Together with Jogeshwari and Mandapeshwar, Mahakali Caves forms the trilogy of less visited rock-cut caves in Mumbai, and are the best maintained and preserved of the three. Amazing clicks by @kevinstandage1 https://www.instagram.com/p/CccCyzbP0ou/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI= -- source link

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