Moments Shoot's Photo Walk 26 - SGNP & Kanheri Caves on 15th Nov 2014

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), previously Borivali National Park, is a large protected area in the northern part of suburban Mumbai city in Maharashtra State in India. It encompasses an area of 104 km2 (40 sq mi) and is surrounded on three sides by India's most populous city. It is notable as one of the major national parks existing within a metropolis limit and is one of the most visited parks in the world.
The rich flora and fauna of Sanjay Gandhi National Park attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.

Kanheri Caves

The Kanheri Caves constitute a group of rock-cut monuments that are located north of Borivali on the western outskirts of Mumbai, India. Located within the forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the caves are 6 km from the main gate and 7 km from Borivali Station. Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit Krishnagiri, which means black mountain. They were chiseled out of a massive basaltic rock outcropping.
These caves date from the first century BCE to the 10th century CE. One hundred and nine caves have been carved from the basalt. Unlike the elegant splendor of the adjacent Elephanta Caves, the earlier cells are spartan and unadorned. Each cave has a stone plinth for a bed. A congregation hall with huge stone pillars contains the stupa, a Buddhist shrine. Farther up the hill are canals and cisterns, the remains of an ancient system that channeled rainwater into huge tanks. Once the caves were converted to permanent monasteries, the rock was carved with intricate reliefs of Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. Kanheri had become an important Buddhist settlement on the Konkan coast by the 3rd century CE.

Most of the caves are used as the Buddhist viharas, meant for living, studying, and meditating. The larger caves were chaityas, or halls for congregational worship; are lined with intricately carved Buddhist sculptures, reliefs and pillars; and contain rock-cut stupas for congregational worship. The Avalokiteshwara is the most distinctive figure. The large number of viharas demonstrates the well organized establishment of Buddhist monks. This establishment was also connected with many trade centers, such as the ports of Sopara, Kalyan, Nasik, Paithan and Ujjain. Kanheri was a University center by the time the area was under the rule of the Maurayan and Kushan empires. In the late 10th century, the Buddhist teacher Atisha (980–1054) came to the Krishnagiri Vihara to study Buddhist meditation under Rahulagupta.

(Courtesy: Internet)

This photo walk is for whom?

• Nature/Monuments Lovers
• Shutter Bugs (Photographers)
• Children / School Children's
• Families / Friends 
• In short Everyone !!!

Photo Walk Schedule:

• Gather at SGNP @ 7:00 am 
• Head towards Kanheri Caves @ 7:30 am
• Reach Kanheri Caves @ 9:00 am
• Explore the Caves and experience the beautiful architecture.
• Start the return journey @ 12:00  pm
• Bid adieu and return to respective destinations.

Things to Carry:
1. 1-2 Ltrs Water
2. Camera (Optional - Capture the moments in your Heart !!!)
3. Cap

Cost:
All expenses will be done as per they arise, by individual members, This event is for Photography and fun.

Confirm your participation on: Nikhil 9820 432 576

• All our Photo-walk's are Eco-friendly, kindly take care of nature around us. 
• Smoking and Drinking alcohol during, Photo-walk is strictly prohibited if anyone found doing that will be expelled from Photo-walk without refund.
• Respect the Heritage and culture. Do Not Litter, Participants are requested to carry the waste back to the city and dispose it off in dustbins.
• Leader’s decision will be final and binding on all members. No Arguments will be entertained.
• Moments Shoot is not liable in any way whatsoever for any injury or loss (including any indirect or consequential loss) of any kind to person or property suffered by any participant whether by reason of any act or omission, deliberate or negligent. 

Regards,
Moments Shoot

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