ELEPHANTA CAVES INDIA (MAHARASHTRA)

ELEPHANTA CAVES INDIA

The Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves—the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god Shiva. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century CE. The Elephanta island was so named by the Portuguese, after the statue of an elephant near the landing area of the island. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. All the caves were also originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain. The main cave (Cave 1, or the Great Cave) was a Hindu place of worship until Portuguese rule began in 1534, after which the caves suffered severe damage. This cave was renovated in the 1970s after years of neglect, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork.

The island is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length with two hills that rise to a height of about 500 feet (150 m). The two hills of the island, the western and the eastern, have five rock-cut caves in the western part and a brick stupa on the eastern hill on its top composed of two caves with few rock-cut cisterns. One of the caves on the eastern hill is unfinished. It is a protected island with a buffer zone according to a Notification issued in 1985, which also includes “a prohibited area” that stretches 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the shoreline.

Main cave (SHIVA CAVE)

The main cave, also called the Shiva cave, Cave 1, or the Great Cave, is 27 metres (89 ft) square in plan with a hall called mandapa. At the entrance are four doors, with three open porticoes and an aisle at the back. Pillars, six in each row, divide the hall into a series of smaller chambers.The roof of the hall has concealed beams supported by stone columns joined together by capitals.Usualy entrance of a shiva shrine is in the east-west but here entrance to the main cave aligned with north-south axis. The northern entrance to the cave, which has 1,000 steep steps, is flanked by two panels of Shiva dated to the Gupta period. The left panel depicts Yogishvara (The Lord of Yoga) and the right shows Nataraja (Shiva as the Lord of Dance). Each wall has large carvings of Shiva, each more than 5 metres (16 ft) in height. The main cave blends Chalukyan architectural features such as massive figures of the divinities, guardians, and square pillars with custom capitals with Gupta artistic characteristics, like the depiction of mountains and clouds and female hairstyles.

SHIVA PARVATI ON KAILASH AD RAVAA LITIG KAILASH

The carving on the south wall to the east of the portico depicts Shiva and Parvati seated on their abode Mount Kailash. The carved panel facing this one is a two level depiction of Ravana lifting Kailash. The upper scene is Mount Kailash, where Shiva and Parvati are seated. A legend relates to both these panels.Once, Parvati was annoyed with Shiva. At this moment, Ravana, who was passing by Mount Kailash, found it as an obstruction to his movement. Upset, Ravana shook it vigorously and as a result, Parvati got scared and hugged Shiva. Enraged by Ravana's arrogance, Shiva stamped down on Ravana, who sang praises of Shiva to free him of his misery and turned into an ardent devotee of Shiva. Another version states that Shiva was pleased with Ravana for restoring Parvati’s composure and blessed him.

TRIMURTI GANGADHARA AND ARDHANARISHVARA

The most important sculpture in the caves is the Trimurti, carved in relief at the back of the cave facing the entrance, on the north-south axis. It is also known as Trimurti Sadashiva and Maheshmurti.Described as  a "masterpiece of Gupta-Chalukyan art".

The image, 20 feet (6.1 m) in height, depicts a three-headed Shiva, representing Panchamukha Shiva, The three heads are said to represent three essential aspects of Shiva — creation, protection, and destruction.

The Gangadhara image to the right of the Trimurti, is an ensemble of divinities assembled around the central figures of Shiva and Parvati, the former bearing river Ganges as she descends from the heaven. The carving is 13 feet (4.0 m) wide and 17.083 feet (5.207 m) high.

SHIVA SLAYING ANDHAKA AND WEDDING OF SHIVA

The central figure, which is much ruined below the waist, is measured at 11.5 feet (3.5 m) high, and shows Bhairava, or Virabhadra, a frightful form of Shiva. he niche image carved on the south wall is an ensemble of divinities assembled around the central figures of Shiva and Parvati shown getting married.

YOGISHVARA AND NATARAJA

The panel to the east of the north portico is Shiva in a Yogic position called Yogisvara.The panel carving in the west niche opposite Yogishvara depicts Shiva as Nataraja performing the Tandava (cosmic dance). The niche is 13 feet (4.0 m) wide and 11 feet (3.4 m) in height and set low on the wall.

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HOW TO REACH ELEPHANTA CAVES

The Elephanta Caves can be reached by a ferry from the Gateway of India, Mumbai, which has the nearest airport and train station.

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