The group of caves currently known as Mahakali Caves were originally called the Kondiwita Caves, carved into the black rocky hills and consisting of a total of 19 rock-cut caves. Today’s Marol area in Andheri East was once the capital of a kingdom—an important yet forgotten historical truth. King Bheemdev and his son Pratap shifted their capital from Thane to Marol during the 14th century. This region was then named “Pratappur” by them. King Bheemdev, who once ruled Devgiri, was defeated by Aladdin Khilji of Delhi and subsequently moved to the northern Konkan region, making Thane his new capital. Though a warrior, King Bheemdev was also a visionary ruler. He and his son Pratap built many temples and pilgrimage sites. However, when the Sultan of Gujarat invaded Pratappur, he destroyed these temples and vandalized the idols. ... The Kondiwita or Mahakali Caves are located 6 kilometres from Andheri station. They are situated within the Aare Colony and the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai. These caves lie between the Marol and Jogeshwari cave complexes. The caves were carved between the 1st century BCE and the 6th century CE and include a total of 19 Buddhist caves. These are divided into two groups—fifteen caves to the east and four to the west. Among the four western caves, one served as a dining hall. These caves were used by Buddhist monks for prayer and residence. The stupas in these caves are shaped in a way that resembles Shivlinga, leading to the mistaken identification of the caves as Mahakal shrines. The name “Mahakali Caves” originated from the nearby Mahakali Temple located at the base of the hill. All of these caves are Buddhist in origin and contain several stupas. One can reach the caves easily from Andheri station by bus or auto-rickshaw. However, these caves have faded into obscurity amidst Mumbai’s urban chaos. Due to government apathy, the condition of these historic caves has deteriorated significantly. The area is now frequented by beggars, addicts, and vagrants.
© Suresh Nimbalkar