One of the major tourist attractions in the capital city of Maharashtra, the Elephanta Caves has international importance. These rock-cut caves are situated on the Elephanta Island in the Mumbai Harbor, which is some ten kilometres from the city. The Elephanta caves are a group of caves and have been divided into two groups. The first group consists of five major Hindu caves, whereas the second group of two caves depicts Buddhism. Various studies and researches have proved that these caves belong from the 4th to 8th century A.D. However, no proper evidence about its possessors can be predicted, and it is still a subject of debate.
Prior to getting its name Elephanta from the Portuguese, the island was known as Gharapuri and was a holy Hindu place of worship. The Portuguese captured this island in 1534 and gave it this name on seeing a huge statue of an elephant at the entrance of these caves. Ancient writings depict this place to be one of the most beautiful places and heritage sites until the Portuguese devastated it. The site of Elephanta Caves was declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and is currently under the possession of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Let us now take a look at some of the important and worth seeing structures and architectures in this cave.
Major Attractions in the Elephanta Caves
Main Cave: Also known as the “Great Cave” or the “Shiva Cave”, it consists of a huge hall known as mandapa. This hall has four open doors along with a pathway at its back. The entire hall has several rock-carved pillars that stand supporting the ceiling. One of the major attractions of this cave is the north-south entrance alignment, which is normally unusual in a Shiva shrine. By taking a look at the northern entrance of this cave, one gets to see two huge panels of Shiva dating back to the Gupta period. The left panel here depicts the Lord of Yoga, often referred to as the Yogishvara, whereas the right panel depicts the Lord of Dance, often referred to as the Nataraja. Both these sculptures are worth watching and should not be missed.
Right in the centre of this hall is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Lingam. The free-standing square cell has doorways from all four directions and is flanked by beautifully carved Dwarapalas or the doorkeepers. On the south wall of this cave lies the insignia of the Elephanta Caves, the Trimurti structure. This structure has gained huge importance and is a major attraction in this cave. On the right side of the Trimurti, structure lays the Ghangadhara structure, which depicts the source of river Ganga from the matted locks of Shiva, whereas the left side is flanked by Ardhanarisvara, depicting a half male and half female structure, portraying Shiva and his consort Parvati.
The other notable structures in this hall include that of Kalyanasundaramurti, which depicts the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. This sculpture is portrayed by the duo accepting each other’s hands. The other notable images in this sculpture include Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Lakshmi pictured giving away the bride to Shiva, God Brahma pictured as an officiating priest, and another host of divinities. Another worth seeing scripture of Andhakasuravadamurthi, which literary means the slaying of Andhaka demon, pictures Shiva assaulting the demon Andhaka. The structure of Shiv and Parvati on mountain Kailash and another structure depicting Ravana, the demon king, shaking Kailash are also notable structures in this cave.
East Wing: Several courtyards to the east of the main cave have been blocked by the Archaeological Survey of India. However, a courtyard that is around fifty-five feet wide is accessible and contains several worth seeing structures. On the southern side of this hall lies a well-preserved temple. Each side of this temple gateway is possessed by a winged lion-like structure with a raised forepaw. The doorway further has a chamber at the back, which leads us to the Linga Shrine. The background of this portico holds structures of four-armed Dwarpalas and two demon attendants.
The north wall of this courtyard is flanked by a standing structure holding a trident, whereas the west wall possesses the eight mother goddesses known as the Ashta Matrikas along with the elephant god Ganesha and Kartikeya. Each structure of these goddesses is portrayed along with their mounts which help in identifying them.
West Wing: The west wing from the main cave is another worth visiting cave and is in a partially ruined state. The shrine to the west of this courtyard has a magnificent carving of Shiva in this meditating posture. This structure depicts Shiva seated on a lotus carried by two fat heavy figures. This carving also possesses the god Brahma and other divine figures. A door here leads us to another cave, which is enshrined with a multidimensional Shiv Linga. The door of this shrine is flanked by the statues of doorkeepers pictured to be standing on demons.
On the southern side of this cave is a carving of Shiva portraying six arms and a third eye on the forehead. This statue is in a ruined state and does not fail to picture the ornamented crown with a crescent, a snake in the left hand and a club in the right. The other prominent figures in this cave include male figures riding a bull, well carved female figures along with the Shiv shrine, god Indra riding an elephant, and Lord Vishnu riding a Garuda.Â
How to Reach Elephanta Caves?
As the caves reside right in Mumbai Harbor, reaching this place is quite simple. The Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, is the nearest airport to reach this place. If you are taking a rail route to reach this place, then the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, is the nearest railhead to reach here. Frequent local, as well as private taxis, are available from the airport and railway station that takes you to the Gateway of India from where the boats of ferries take 1 hour to reach the Elephanta Island.
Note: These caves are open round the year for tourists from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The caves are kept closed every Monday.
