Overview of Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Island also called Gharapuri Island or place of caves numbers among the islands in Mumbai Harbour, east of Mumbai, India. That island serves as a popular tourist destination for a day trip because of the island’s cave temples, the Elephanta Caves, that have been carved out of rock.

The early history of the Elephanta caves is unknown, but many historians agree on the point that the temples and reliefs on the site date back to somewhere between the 5th century and 9th centuries. The cave as well as the island were given the name Elephanta by Portuguese invaders after they took control of the place in 1534. It was the discovery of a gigantic rock-cut sculpture of an elephant on the island that prompted them to name the place so. In 1661, the colonial British rulers brought the island under their domination.

There are principally seven caves where one can investigate the real excellence of ancient Indian architecture. There are a few highly finished rock surfaces in Elephanta caves; however, some are the stark untreated rocks too. The most prominent expression of sculpture caves can be noticed in the two major groups of caves here.

The first cave represents engravings based on Hinduism, where you find rock-cut stone sculptures, dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the sculpture, you’ll see the quintessential essence of the Shiva Lingam created in eight manifest forms that are worth viewing. Further, when you head to other smaller caves, you will witness that it’s an example of Buddhist rock-cut architecture. So, visiting this site is not about seeing the architectural marvel but also your way to know Indian culture more deeply.

Elephanta Caves were included in the ‘World Heritage List in the year 1987 by UNESCO due to their outstanding universal value representing a masterpiece of human creative genius and bearing unique testimony to a cultural tradition.

Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta caves are on Elephanta Island also known as Gharapuri island which is made up of two hillocks separated by a narrow valley in western India. Elephanta cave temples on a small island off the coast of Bombay date from the eighth-century A.D. and are similar to those at Ellora. The Elephanta caves were initially intended to be a Buddhist site, but the Shaivite faith eventually took over.

The caves on the island are divided into two groups: A collection of five Hindu caves with rock-cut stone sculptures. They are primarily associated with the Shaivite sect of Hinduism and are primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva. A pair of Buddhist caves and cisterns run along the island’s banks. Near the hill, there is a mound that resembles a Buddhist Stupa.

Between the 14th and 17th centuries, when Portuguese ships began to ply the Arabian sea and used these caves as a base, the caves suffered extensive damage.

Elephanta Caves Architecture

There are two groups of caves on Elephanta Island, each featuring the rock-cut style of architecture. The caves are carved out of solid basalt rock and cover an area of 60,000 sq. ft. The larger one of these two groups has five caves with numerous Hindu sculptures. Two Buddhist caves at the site make up the smaller group along with water tanks and a Stupa. Each cave has been carved as a rock-cut temple with one main huge chamber, courtyards, two lateral chambers, and minor shrines. Cave 1 aka the Grand Cave is the biggest one among these and spreads across 39 meters from its entrance to the back. This cave temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva and has several structures and carvings celebrating the deity and his different forms.

Elephanta in Later Times

It is popularly believed that different dynasties held their sway over this Island such as the Mauryas of Konkan, Trikutakas of Badami, Silaharas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Yadavas of Devagiri, and later the Muslim rulers of Ahmadabad, the Maratha and finally by the Portuguese before it passed into the hands of British.

Elephanta Caves: Today

Today, the magnificent Elephanta Caves count among the top tourist attractions and historical monuments in Mumbai. This architectural marvel was granted the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. A two-day music and dance festival, called the Elephanta Festival, is held on the island every year in February. The caves are now under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Things to Do at Elephanta Caves

The Grand Cave (Cave 1) is the largest in the complex and it has been preserved and restored as much as it could be. At the north entrance, you’ll find statues of Shiva, in his Nataraja form and Yogishvara form. And within the cave, you’ll find many sculptures and carvings from Hindu mythologies. Of those, the large 20 feet monolithic statue of Trimurti – a three-headed Shiva, is the most notable.

The Trimurti is one of the main attractions of the cave. And it is on the south wall, facing the entrance. The Shivalinga in the large mandapa hall is towards the west. And you’ll also find sculptures of Ardhanarishvara, Gangadhara, and Ravananugraha on the walls.

Caves 2 and 3 are smaller than the first cave and each has a mandapa hall standing on pillars. The other two Hindu caves are in ruins today.

Cave 6, which provides a glimpse of the Buddhist style, is also known as the Sitabai Temple. It has a large hall with three chambers, the central one of which has a shrine. The walls of this cave are adorned with intricate carvings. The other Buddhist cave is incomplete.

A narrow path near the first group of caves takes you to the top of Cannon Hill. You’ll see two large canons there. And you also get captivating views of the surrounding sea and the skyline of Mumbai.

Apart from the caves, you can also visit the small archaeological museum. It is near the ticket counter. Here, you can see various items related to Elephanta Caves and the island. The museum also exhibits information about other rock-cut cave temples in India.

Importance of Elephanta Caves

Elephanta caves hold significance because:

• The Shaivite group of Caves- While there are many examples of Buddhist Caves in India, Elephanta Caves stand as a unique and important example as it is influenced by Shaiva traditions and mythology in the Shiva Purana.
• The architecture- The layout of the site and the geometrical study helps us understand the entire plan is in line and focal points are considered important energy centers. Thus, it serves as an important example in the study of cave Architecture.
• Iconography in the caves- The various panels and the iconographic representations in these caves highlight their artistic beauty. The panels are kalyanasundaramurti (depicting the marriage of Shiva and Parvati), Ardhanareshwara (the iconography which represents half shiva and half shakti which is symbolic of gender equality), Andhakasura Vadha Murti (killing Andhakasura), Nataraja (representing Shiva as the cosmic dancer), the shiva Linga (the Linga symbolizes the union of a male and female) with the dwarapala (doorkeepers) at the center of the complex.

Conclusion

The Elephanta caves are situated on a small island off the coast of western India and are home to various old archaeological ruins that bear witness to the country’s rich cultural history. Elephanta Caves architecture and woodland region have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1987.