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   An Afternoon.....

The Elephanta Caves

It’s a Saturday and we decided to visit The Elephanta Caves. Also it was a decision to take a local train ride this time to enjoy the Mumbai crowd. From CST a 5 minutes drive in taxi and then an hour long ferry ride through the sea to reach this beautiful spot was quite an experience.

The Island

There are guides to help you understand the history of the caves and chairs lifted by human for a ride who cannot of course take the tedious steps up the hill. A small train is available to take you from the arrival point to the base of hills.

The Train

Info

Elephanta Caves are located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai harbor about 10kms from Mumbai city. The island got its name from huge rock elephant discovered by the Portuguese in 18^th Century AD, which is now placed at Jijamata Udyaan. The solid basalt rock cut architecture in the caves has been dated between 5^th to 8^th century. There are seven caves in total out of which the cave number 1 contains sculptures of Lord Shiva and the famous Maheshmurti idol which earned international acclaim for the caves.


Cave-1

Yogeswar Shiva (The Meditator)



Natraj Shiva (The Dancer)

Gangadhar ( Base of Ganges)


Maheshmurti Shiva

Ardhanariswar ( Half feminine)

cave

cave

All the sculptures are badly damaged. Portuguese soldiers used these priceless idols of god for target practice except the Maheshmurti Shiva idol. Further damage occurred due to Water lodging, dripping rainwater and invasion of modern visitors. Today, Elephanta caves are a World Heritage monument designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 to preserve the artwork. It is currently maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.

Two huge canons are located on two hills named as cannon hill 1 and 2. There are huge rooms below these huge canons used by the Portuguese, which they might have used for storage of armory.

The canon

There is a museum at the entrance of the caves,  containing pictures of different caves and architecture found in Mahrastra.

You have to beware of monkeys and cows, eager to swallow your food and stay away from the washrooms there. It’s pathetic.