A short ferry ride from the Apollo Bunder
near Gateway of India takes you to the island of Elephanta Caves also known
as the Gharapuri in the local language meaning fortress city. These rock cut
caves belong to the ninth century and are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visit
this island approachable only by ferry and you will be amazed to see the
rock cut caves lying in the midst of this island.
Elephanta – Ninth Century Wonder
The rock cut caves of the Elephanta dates
back to ninth through 13th century (810-1260) of the Silhara kings and some
sculptures where added to this site by the imperial Rashtarkutas of
Manyakheta, now Karnataka. It was only in the 16th century that this island
was named Elephanta by the Portuguese when they came across a 13 foot high
stone elephant standing in greeting on the shore. After this mighty stone
sculpture of Elephant collapsed in 1814 the Britishers relocated it in the
Victoria gardens of Mumbai zoo where it stands even today. So a visit to
Mumbai zoo is mandatory for all the tourists to see the elephant sculpture
that has given a name to the Island of Elephanta caves.
Art That Depicts God's Different Facets
"The three countenances of the One Being
are here harmonized without a trace of effort. There are few material
representations of the divine principle at once as powerful and as well
balanced as this in the art of the whole world".
Historian Grousset points out about the Trimurti.
Trimurti at Elephanta Caves
On the entrance of the cave you will be
welcomed by Trimurti, the most celebrated trinity in Elephanta. This three
headed sculpture of the Lord Shiva represents the three faces of Lord
Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwar. One shows the young man with
sensuous lips and holds something in hand resembles a rose bud and this is
the face of Shiva that is closest to Brahma, the creator. The other face on
the side shows the young and angry mustachioed man, this is Lord Shiva as
Rudra, a destroyer. And there is central face where the Shiva is in deep
meditation praying for the preservation of humanity and this is Shiva as
preserver. The other sculpt present in the cave complex are Rashtrakuta,
relief of Natraja, Sadashiva and splendid sculptures of Ardhanarishvara.
Inside the cave you can find collection of shrines, courtyard, inner cells,
grand halls and porticoes designed in the perfect symmetry. The exquisite
stone carvings and sculpt of Hindu gods and goddesses adore the cave complex
and represent the most perfect expression of the Indian Art. Besides the
sublime beauty of these rock cut caves this place blesses you with the
spiritual energy of India. This famed island is also a designated UNESCO's
World Heritage Site.
