Popular Attractions at Sanjay Gandhi National Park
The Kanheri or Kanhasela Caves located well within the park area are a major point of interest, presenting an accessible and interesting glimpse of the history and the culture of Buddhism in India. Most of these 109 Buddhist caves chiselled out of the volcanic rock are simple small chambers, known as viharas (cells for monks). A few are larger & deeper chambers known as chaityas(for congregational worship). The main one which has colossal figures of standing Lord Buddha, 7m in height, on each side of the entrance porch, a colonnade of 34 pillars surrounding the interior halls and a over topped stupa (shrine) at the far end, all carved in to the existing basaltic rock. These caves are dated from 1st century BC to 9th century AD indicating an well-organised Buddhist establishment of monks which existed on an ancient trade route connecting a number of trade centres & Indian ports.
The park is a part of Greater Mumbai and Mumbai is one of the largest metropolises in the world. The main highlights of the city are the Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Elephanta Island, Flora Fountain, Haji Ali’s Tomb, Kamla Nehru Park, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Nehru Planetarium, Nehru Science Centre, and Marine Drive.
