INSIDE MANDAPESHWAR CAVES - A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME | CAVES IN MUMBAI | ANCIENT SHIVA TEMPLE
#caves #portuguese #ancienttemples #lordshiva
The Mandapeshwar caves are situated in Borivali, a suburb of Mumbai.
The Mandapeshwar caves are smaller and lesser known as compared to the Kanheri caves in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali East.
The ruins of an old Portuguese-built church stand on top of the caves. The Immaculate Conception Church is located to its south end.
Originally, the caves were on the banks of the Dahisar River but later the course of the river changed. The name of the neighbourhood was derived from this temple.
Most of what can be seen on the walls now are destroyed remains. The church and its graveyard are situated above the cave precincts. There are ruins of an old structure above the caves. These ruins belonged to a much older church built in 1544. This ruins is also under protection of Indian Archaeology Society.
There are four rock-cut shrines in Mumbai: Elephanta Caves, Jogeshwari Caves, Mahakali Caves, Mandapeshwar Caves. All four caves have the same sculptures. The sculptures at Mandapeshwar were created beginning in the late Gupta Empire, or some time after.
Mandpeshwer caves have sculptures of Nataraja, Sadashiva and a sculpture of Ardhanarishvara. It also has Ganesha, Brahma and Vishnu statuettes. These works depicted the mythical tales of the Hindu gods and goddesses. Even today an elaborate sculpture representing the marriage of Shiva with Parvati may be viewed from the large square window at the south end of these caves. The caves are declared as an archaeological heritage site and therefore are protected under law.
Location :
maps.app.goo.gl/qU9yg9uHGhkek9vY9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Best time to visit :
Early Morning or Evening (Before 5 PM)
Note :
Ok Avoid walking on top of the cave in rainy season as the floor becomes very slippery.
#mandapeshwarcaves​ #mumbai #borivali #sculpture #carving #cavesinindia #unescoworldheritage #archeologicalsurveyofindia