Mahakali Buddhist Caves

About Mahakali Buddhist Caves

It is surrounded by encroachments and shanties and is declared endangered.Like Kanheri caves, Kondivita was also a centre of Buddhism so the modern name ‘Mahakali Caves’ is misplaced. The caves are carved into a long hillside, which immediately brings to mind Kanheri. But the large pillared chaitya and bas-relief Buddhas of Kanheri are not to be found here. Instead, one small cave in the middle houses a stupa inside a capsule like chamber. The right wall of this cave has a panel depicting a seated Buddha and a few Buddhist legends. Funnily, the stupa has been appropriated by Shaivites as a lingam.

History

These are rock-cut Buddhist caves situated in the Udayagiri hills, about 6.5km from Mumbai. These were excavated during 200 BC to 600 AD and are now in ruins. They comprise of 4 caves on the southeastern face and 15 caves on the northwestern face. Cave 9 is the chief cave and is the oldest and consists of a stupa and figures of Lord Buddha.The Kondivita or Mahakali caves in Andheri East are by far the cleanest of Mumbai’s lesser caves. This complex is fairly big, with around 20 cells and caves, but the stress here is on function, not form.

Like Kanheri, Kondivita was also a centre of Buddhism so the modern name ‘Mahakali Caves’ is misplaced. The caves are carved into a long hillside, which immediately brings to mind Kanheri. But the large pillared chaitya and bas-relief Buddhas of Kanheri are not to be found here. Instead, one small cave in the middle houses a stupa inside a capsule like chamber. The right wall of this cave has a panel depicting a seated Buddha and a few Buddhist legends. Funnily, the stupa has been appropriated by Shaivites as a lingam.

Two other caves in Kondivita merit attention. One is the first cave, which has a multi-tiered look. It was probably used for meditation. The other interesting cave is towards the end of the row. It has a small pillared hall with nine chambers opening into it.

Interesting things to do

Explore the beauty and hitory of the caves.

There are a number of great parks to visit such as the Five Gardens, Kamala Nehru Park,Jehangir Art gallery and the Princes of Wales museum, to name but a few. For entertainment Shopping at the Colaba Causeway and Fashion Street will provide for an exciting tour of the commercial district.

Interesting things to Visit

For A Healthy Holiday ,Lonavala and Khandala are two charming little hill stations on the western slopes of the Sahyadris, 5-km apart, that straddle the Mumbai - Pune highway at an altitude of 625m, quite popular as health resorts. Blessed by the nature in bounty, the hill resorts have plethora of places of Tourist Attraction in Lonavala & Khandala - Beautiful Hills, Deep Green Valleys, Huge Lakes, Historic Forts, Waterfalls, etc.

Khandala:
Khandala is an impressive hill station, cuddled up in the Sahyadri Range of Maharashtra. Endowed with nature’s splendor, Khandala makes a quick excursion at a distance of 101 kms from the bustling city of Mumbai. This beautiful place immersed in pastoral beauty, had been known since years.

Lonavala:
Lonavala is a picturesque hill station, often called the ‘Jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains’ in India. Located in the Pune district of Maharashtra, Lonavla is much preferred hill resort to the Mumbaikars, especially since it is only 96 kms from Mumbai.

Matheran:
Set in the lap of nature, Matheran is probably the smallest hill station in India. It is located about 108 kms from Mumbai city, in the Karjat Tehsil of Maharashtra, at an altitude of 803 metres. The pastoral beauty of this tiny hill station is exceptionally striking, more so because of motor transport ban in the region.

Nearest Visiting places

Mumbai : Visit the commercial capital of India, 42 km away, the heart of Indian film Industry, Mumbai, is a splendid city for travellers. The Gateway of India, Chwpatty beach, the Haji Ali Mosque, Juhu Beach, Crawford Market, The Bomaby high court, and a vibrant nightlife are all part of this city. Most of the wells known financial institutions are housed in this city that is considered to be the richest in India. Actually one would feel comfortable by not making Mumbai an excursion, rather making the process vice versa.

Elephanta Caves : Located at a distance of 9 miles from Mumbai, the Elephanta caves are beautiful rock cut cave temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. In the Elephanta caves, Lord Shiva has been shown in three major forms, of being that of constructor, protector and destroyer.

Bhaja Caves : The Bhaja caves, which are 18 in number, are situated at a distance of 12 kilometers from Lonavla in Maharashtra. These caves, which belongs to the 2nd century BCE, are one of the most beautiful caves in India.

Pithalkora Caves : Dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE, the Pithalkora caves are located on the Satmala hills, 78 kilometers from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. These caves, including mainly temples, monasteries and viharas, are dedicated to the oldest Theravadin sect of Buddhism.

Junnar Caves : The Junnar caves, located on the Mumbai - Aurangabad way, 177 kilometers from Mumbai, belong to 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. These caves, Buddhist in nature are one of the best well sculptured caves of Maharashtra.

Ajanta Caves : Situated on the Sahyadri hills, around 108 kilometers from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the Ajanta caves dates back to the ancient period and forms probably one of the earliest Buddhist caves in the world. Dedicated to the Buddha, these caves were basically used by the Buddhist monks as their residence and meditation centres.

Ellora Caves : The Ellora caves, the finest examples of cave-temple architecture, reflects the love and respect for all the religions in India, as it comprises the cave temples related to all three major religions in the ancient India - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. These caves are located 28 kilometers from Aurangabad and belongs to the period between 5th century CE to the 11th century CE.

Aurangabad Buddhist Caves : These caves dates back to the 4th-8th century CE, built by the Vakatakas and the Chalukyas.
The Aurangabad caves mainly deals with the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Hotel Ramada Palm Grove Mumbai
Juhu Beach, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049 - 022 26112323

Grand Hyatt Hotel Mumbai
Off Western Express Highway,, Santa Cruz East,, Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra 400055 - 022 6693 1234

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

Nanavati Hospital
Mumbai, Mumbai suburban, Maharashtra - 022 26118693

Asian Heart Institute
Mumbai, Mumbai suburban, Maharashtra - 022 66986666

About 40km from Mumbai, this sleepy beach near the Portuguese- favored fishing village of Manori is a weekend retreat for the people of Mumbai and the venue of occasional beach parties. It offers a refreshing change from the bustle of India’s most busy metropolis.Manori Beache are among the most picturesque beaches that Mumbai boasts of…..more

The Jogeshwari Caves are some of the earliest Hindu cave temples sculptures located in the Mumbai suburb of Jogeshwari, India. The caves date back to 520 to 550 CE. The caves are located off the Western Express Highway, and are surrounded by encroachments. The caves are used as a temple by the encroachers. The caves are classified as endangered as sewage and waste enter the premises. They are also infested with bats……more

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Location info

• Address: Udayagiri hills, about 6.5km from Mumbai.

• District: Mumbai Suburban District.

• Nearest City: Mumbai

• Best time to visit: Any time during the year.

How to reach Mahakali Buddhist Caves

• Nearest Railway Station: Nearest railway station is Andheri.

• Nearest Airport: Mumbai International Airport

• Road Transport: Reach out to east side of Andheri and catch a bus to Mahakali Caves. 10-15 mints frequency of the bus to reach there.

Best time to visit Mahakali Buddhist Caves

October to March: comfortable temperatures for exploring. Caves provide natural shelter from heat.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Closed on Mondays at some sites.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 25–40 for Indian nationals, INR 300–600 for foreign nationals. Free for children under 15.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for a group of caves. Ajanta and Ellora each require half a day to a full day.

Safety tips

Carry a torch/flashlight — interior areas may be dimly lit. Watch your step on uneven stone floors. Do not touch the paintings or carvings — oils from fingers can damage them. Photography rules vary by cave.

Things to carry

Torch/flashlight, comfortable walking shoes, water bottle, camera (check photography policy), and a light jacket (caves are cooler inside).

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Aurangabad Airport (IXU) or Mumbai International Airport. Nearest railway station: Aurangabad, Lonavala, or nearest station. Accessible by road.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Mahakali Buddhist Caves. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What are the visiting hours? Caves are typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Some caves (like Ajanta) are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Are the caves well-lit inside? Major caves have lighting, but carrying a torch is recommended for exploring deeper chambers.

Can I take photographs? Photography is generally permitted without flash. Video cameras may incur an additional fee at some sites.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: November to February for pleasant weather
• Ideal duration: 1-3 hours for a thorough exploration
• Entry: Entry fee applicable (varies for Indian and foreign tourists)
• Guided tour: Available on request at the ticket counter
• Photography: Permitted in most areas; flash may be restricted

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee applies as per Archaeological Survey of India rates. Check at the ticket counter for current charges.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Mahakali Buddhist Caves
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: archeological region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Mahakali Buddhist Caves, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Mahakali Buddhist Caves

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Mahakali Buddhist Caves on popular travel photography sites and social media.