Elephanta Caves

It is located near Mumbai. It was Carved between 9th and 12th Centuries AD. It was designated as World Heritage Site. It is famous for Lord Shiva Temple.

The Elephanta Island is the site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are located at a distance of 11-km from Mumbai and are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Island of Elephanta, being a commercial, military and religions centre for centuries has traces of early Buddhist culture.

History: The Elephanta caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between 9th-12th centuries. With the Brahminical resurgence during reign of Gupta dynasty in 3rd century AD, these great caves dedicated to Lord Shiva exploded into existence of Elephanta. Legends and history suggest that the great warrior prince of Chalukya dynasty Pulkesin II raised the shrine to celebrate his victory. Some historians also suggest that these caves were built  by the Kalchuri King Krishnaraja in 6th century AD.

As worship of the figure of the Buddha began to be encouraged with the rise of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, a shrine was introduced to house Buddha's image, replacing the cells at the centre of the back wall. The Monasteries of Ajanta lead us directly to Elephanta. It appears that the same families of craftsmen and sculptors who were working on the Kailasa temple of Ellora and adjoining Buddhist caves at Ellora were employed at Elephanta.

The island rises in two conical hillocks. The architectural sculptors carved out of solid basalt rock create a representation of the heavenly mountain residence of Lord Shiva. Opening out from three sides, the temple lets in light from many angles of light.

Inside the temple is a large hall, with nine sculptured panels representing Lord Shiva in different moods. The temple plan is so symmetric with important focal points worked out in a geometric Mandala (the design that represents the energy field). Fights of steps, which can prove to be very daunting, take one to the caves. One can also hire a chair to be carried up. Today the caves can be easily approached, but think of the time when the artisan used only the contours of the hill to reach the top and then shiselled out of basalt rocks to give it the shape of heavenly abode of Shiva. He has tried to create the cave similar to the one in which Shiva resides in Himalayas.

How to get there: The Elephanta Island is accessible only from the Gateway of India, Mumbai. A chugging ferry ride from the Gateway of India, surpassing the fishing boats, large ships, little islands, occasionally leaping fishes, and it takes 15 minutes to reach the Elephanta Island.

 

 

This is our local website for Mumbai; We hope that you will find the website of assistance in planning your vacation and finding suitable services. Do not hesitate to contact us with enquires;