Elephanta Caves

The caves temples of Elephanta of 7th century A.D. lie opposite the harbour of Mumbai on an island in the bay of Mumbai in an area of 5 square km. The caves of Elephanta are listed since 1987 on the UNESCO list of the World cultural heritage sites. They contain a row of works of art that connected with the Shiva cult.

It was named originally Gharapuri, "city of the Ghara-priests", which was renamed however by the Portuguese in the 16th century after the stone elephant that they found in the harbour. One can see the elephant in the Victoria gardens in Mumbai. The unique cave temples are the main attraction of the island. The powerful Trimurti (three-faced) Shiva sculpture of the temple forms an extraordinary example of Hindu art of sculptures. This three faced 3.30-meter high sculpture of Trimurti characterize Shiva as the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. On the entrance of one of the caves portrayed Nataraj that is Shiva as a cosmic dancer. Further, there is a sculpture of Shiva in the form of an Ardhanarishvara, half man and half woman. In one of the cave entrance one can see on the stone slab Shiva and Parvati on the mountain Kailash with demon Ravana. This sculpture shows Ravana lifting the mountain. Ravana's bended back shows an enormous exertion.

The journey from the gateway of India in Mumbai to the island with the ferry lasts about an hour and the tour with the guide on the island takes approximately half an hour.