Some Caves and Forts Not to be missed during a trip to Mumbai

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If you are interested in knowing the history of this metropolitan city then you must visit forts like Dongri Fort, Riwa Fort and Worli Fort. The place was also inhabited by early man and glimpse of their presence could be found in Elephanta Caves, Kanheri Caves and Mahakali Caves. These sites are also important tourist destinations and should not be missed whenever you visit the city of dreams.

Bassein Fort

Fort Vasai as the name suggests is a fort located in Vasai, Palghar, Maharashtra. It was founded in the year 1184 in the Indo-Portuguese era. It was protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Here you can find glimpse of Chalukya dynasty, Silhara dynasty, Gujarat Sultanate and Yadava dynasty which ruled the area.

Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves is the popular tourist destination located in Mumbai Harbour in east Mumbai. It is a collection of cave temples. You can reach these caves by taking a ferry from Gateway of India. The caves own some Buddhist stupa mounds which belongs to 2nd century BCE. Also has carvings of Nataraja, Trimurti Sadhashiva and Yogishvara.

Kanheri Caves

Kanheri Caves are caves located inside the dense forest of Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the west Mumbai. The caves are estimated are dated from the 1st century CE[1] to the 10th century CE. The complex consisting of one hundred and nine caves with Buddhist sculptures, paintings, inscriptons and relief carvings. The caves got their names from Sanskrit word Krishnagiri which means black mountain.

Mahim Fort

Mahim Fort is a ruined fort located in Mahim of Mumbai, Maharastra. The fort lies off the Mahim Causeway and is heavily encroached by slums. It is a subject to neglect from government and exposure of tidal erosion. This fort was captured by British at the time of First Anglo-Maratha War.

Belapur Fort

Belapur Fort as the name suggests is located in Belapur in Navi Mumbai, Mahrastra. The fort was made by Siddis of Janjira in 1570 but was later on captured by Portuguese and Marathas afterward. British government captured this for in the early 19th century. The fort is owned and maintained by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).

Bombay Castle

Bombay Castle was built by a Portuguese nobleman Garcia de Orta who had leased the island of Bombay from King of Portugal. It was built with local blue Kurla stones as well as red laterite stone from the Konkan region. It was captured by English in 1665 and East India Company took its possession in 1668.

Castella de Aguada

Castella de Aguada is located in Bandra, Mumbai, that’s why it is also named as Bandra Fort. Portuguese rulers made this fort as a watchtower to overlook Mahim Bay, the Arabian Sea and southern Mahim island. The castle was also featured in the films like Dil Chahta Hia and Buddha Mil Gaya. It is owned by the Archaeological Survey of India.