“Black mountain,” that’s what Krishnagiri means in Sanskrit and it refers to what we know as Cave 72 today. Carved into a massive basalt outcrop within Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Cave 72 is part of the Kanheri Caves complex. Imagine monks meditating here centuries ago.
The Kanheri Caves, including Cave 72, aren’t just a single cave. They are a network of 109 rock-cut monuments. These caves tell stories from the 1st century CE to the 10th century CE.
Cave 72 might have housed monks dedicated to living, studying, and meditating. The larger caves served as chaityas or halls for worship. These spaces would have been filled with intricate Buddhist sculptures.
Water was crucial for the monks living here. Rock-cut channels directed rainwater into cisterns. This ingenious system ensured a constant water supply.
By the 3rd century CE, Kanheri had grown into a prominent Buddhist settlement. Its location was strategic and it connected it to trade centers. Ports like Sopara, Kalyan, and Nasik were linked to Kanheri. This shows how important the location of Cave 72 was.
Inscriptions provide further insights into the history of Kanheri. Nearly 51 legible inscriptions exist at Kanheri. These inscriptions are written in Brahmi and Devanagari. Cave 90 even contains Pahlavi epigraphs.
One notable inscription mentions the marriage between Satavahana ruler Vashishtiputra Satakarni and the daughter of Rudradaman I. This reveals connections between powerful dynasties. It also highlights Cave 72 as a site of historical importance.
The Portuguese visitors described Kanheri in the 16th century. Later, European voyagers and travelers documented these caves. These accounts brought Cave 72 and the Kanheri Caves to the world’s attention.
The location of the caves is striking. They sit about six miles from Thana. They’re also two miles north of the Tulsi lake. The caves are carved into a large bubble of a hill. The surrounding area is a vast expanse of forest.
Most caves are simple rooms with verandas. These served as basic living spaces for monks. Stone beds were carved into the cells. However, the larger caves boast intricate carvings. These carvings depict Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
Cave No. 1, a vihara or Buddhist monastery, shows the incomplete nature of some of these works. The entrance framed by two large pillars leads to a cave with two levels.
The Great Chaitya, or Cave No. 3, is the most important cave in the complex. An inscription of Yajna Sri Satakarni indicates its possible excavation during his reign.
The Darbar Cave, Cave No. 11, served as a place of assembly. It gives us insight into the arrangement of halls used for convocations after Buddha’s death. It is the largest in the group after the Chaitya Caves.
Cave No. 90 contains a sculpture of Buddha seated on a lotus throne. The throne is supported by figures with snake hoods.
The water management system of the Kanheri Caves is remarkable. Cisterns ensured a year-round supply of water. Steps were cut into the rock connecting the caves, along with handrails along the sides of them.
Paintings once adorned the caves. Cave number 34 shows unfinished paintings of Buddha on its ceiling.
So, as we stand here before Cave 72, let’s appreciate the ingenuity and devotion that shaped this place. The Kanheri Caves complex was once a vibrant center of Buddhist life.