Constructed around 2,000 years ago, the Mandapeshwar Caves in Borivali have seen off invasions by the Portuguese, Buddhists, Marathas and the Brahmins. But despite such a rich history, the archaeological site fails to attract any tourist attention today. Instead, the site is encroached upon by slum dwellers and drug peddlers, while locals use the space near the caves for parking purposes.
"I've lived in Borivali since childhood, but I've never heard of anybody visiting. Rarely some foreign tourists or those working on research projects visit the place for academic purposes. There is a huge land parcel outside that can be used for several activities which may encourage tourism. But sadly, there are no efforts in this direction," said Ankit Arora, who lives nearby.
There is a Shiva temple inside the caves, and daily prayers take place. Behind this is a cave and a cemetery. Locals, however, claim that the place is haunted, due to which people avoid the area during the night.
But despite the rich history associated with it, it was only two years ago that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) barricaded the site to ensure no trespassing. It's now planning to construct a garden inside to beautify the space. "It's not like we neglected the place. We are carrying out several projects to ensure a tourism-friendly environment," an ASI official said.
Meanwhile, archaeologist and professor at Mumbai University, Kurush Dalal, said, "It's also the citizens' fault that we neglect the archaeological sites despite knowing their history. If the government can't maintain it, it must adopt a public-private partnership model and hand it over to private parties to handle as a CSR project. All archaeological sites should also charge entry fees, so people respect and value the place."
A RICH HISTORY
Mandapeshwar Caves, meaning ‘Hall of Lords’, were cut by Buddhist Monks in the 8th Century. It was situated on the banks of the Dahisar river, which later changed its course.
