Elephanta Caves

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Elephanta Caves


State Party = IND
Type = Cultural
Criteria = (i)(iii)
ID = 244
Region = south asia
Year = 1987
Session =
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/244

The Elephanta Caves are the focal point of Gharapuri Island, which was renamed the Elephanta Island by the Portuguese, located in the Mumbai harbour off the coast of Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists. In recent years, complaints have been made that visitors mistreat this important cultural and historic site. [cite web
url=http://www.the-south-asian.com/Aug2004/Elephanta_caves.htm
title=Save the Caves
publisher=south-asian.com
accessdate=2006-10-14 ] [cite web
url=http://www.boloji.com/photoessays/dv/monuments/dv003i.htm
title=Elephanta Caves
publisher=Bolography
accessdate=2006-10-14 ] Most of the sculptures here were defaced by the Portuguese, who used the sculptures as target practice in the 17th century. The Portuguese also gave the island its modern name, "Elephanta" from "Gharapuri". [HT Cafe, Mumbai, Monday, June,4,2007 pg.31 - Article 'Lord of the Islands" by Jerry Pinto]

The caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings of the 9th through 13th centuries (810–1260). Fact|date=February 2007 Some of the sculptures of this site are also attributed to the imperial Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (in present day Karnataka), the "Trimurti" of Elephanta showing the three faces of Shiva almost akin to the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. This was also the royal insignia of the Rashtrakutas. Other Rashtrakuta sculptures here are the reliefs of Nataraja and Sadashiva and the splendid sculptures of Ardhanarishvara.Fact|date=June 2007

The rock-cut temple complex cover an area of convert|60000|sqft|m2|abbr=on consisting of a main chamber, 2 lateral ones, courtyards and subsidiary shrines. The site of these magnificent caves contained beautiful reliefs, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu god Śiva. The caves are hewn from solid rock. [cite web
url=http://www.mumbainet.com/travel/elephanta.htm
title=Elephanta Caves
publisher=Mumbai Net
accessdate=2006-10-14 ] The temple complex is said to be the abode of Shiva.

Trimurti-Sadashiva Statue

The most important sculpture is that of Trimurti Sadasiva, carved in relief at the end of the N-S axis. The image, convert|20|ft|m|abbr=on in height is of the three headed-Shiva, representing Panchamukha Shiva. [Duffer's Guide to Elephanta, Mid-Day, Tinaz Nooshan, Feb 22, 2007, pg A14] The right half-face shows him as a young person with sensuous lips, embodying life and its vitality. In his hand he holds something that resembles a rose bud -- again with the promise of life and creativity. It is this face that is closest to that of Brahma, the creator or Uma or Vamadeva,the feminine side of Shiva. [HT Cafe, Mumbai, Monday, June,4,2007 pg.31 - Article 'Lord of the Islands" by Jerry Pinto] The left half-face face on the side is that of a young man. It is moustached, and displays anger. This is Shiva as Aghora Bhairava [HT Cafe, Mumbai, Monday, June,4,2007 pg.31 - Article 'Lord of the Islands" by Jerry Pinto] , as the one whose anger can engulf the entire world in flames leaving only ashes behind. This is Shiva, the Destroyer. The central face, benign, meditative, as the preserver Vishnu. This is Shiva as the yogi -- Yogeshwar -- in deep meditation praying for the 'preservation' of humanity.

Reference notes

External links

* [http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/Default.aspx?strpage=VituralTourvideo.html Video of the caves MTDC site]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/himanshu_sarpotdar/sets/72157600124830485 Elephanta Caves Photos from Himanshu Sarpotdar]
* [http://www.indiamonuments.org/ - Photographs of elephanta and other sites in maharashtra]
* [http://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/architecture/building/elephanta.html Information on the caves]
* [http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/deccan/rashtrakutas/art_architecture.htm Description of Rashtrakutas architecture in the caves]
* [http://www.indiantemples.com/Maharashtra/elephanta.html TempleNet - Elephanta Caves]
* [http://www.boloji.com/photoessays/dv/monuments/dv003e.htm Elephanta Cave temple plan]
* [http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/elephanta/eleplan1.jpgNorth enterance temple plan]
*
* Archaeological Institute of America [http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/mandapeshwar/ Mumbai's Rough-Hewn Legacy] "Archaeology", February 12, 2007.
* [http://goldenboy.blog.com/2191551/ God’s Night Out: A blogger's article written after a visit to Elephanta Caves]