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The most important sculpture is that of Trimurti Sadasiva, carved in relief at the end of the N-S axis. The image, 20 ft (6.1 m) in height is of the three headed-Shiva, representing Panchamukha Shiva. 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. 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, 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. (See Wikipedia, Elephanta Caves, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanta_Caves)
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This island is 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 island is easily accessible by ferry from Mumbai, being about 10 km from the south east coast of the island city. Boats leave daily from the Gateway of India, taking about an hour each way for the journey. From the boat landing stage on the island, a walkway leads to steps that go up to the famous caves. Along the path, hawkers sell souvenirs that may bought at a reasonable price. There are also stalls to buy food and drinks. Known in ancient times as Gharapuri, the present name Elephanta, was given by 17th century Portuguese explorers, after seeing a monolithic sculpture of an elephant head found here near the entrance. This sculpture has since been moved to the Victoria and Albert Museum (aka Dr Bhau Daji lad Museum) in Mumbai. The island has an area of 16 km (6 sq miles). It is located at approximately 18.95 N 72.93 E. The area comes under the jurisdiction of the Raigad district in Maharashtra State. A narrow gauge train takes tourists along the 1 km pier to the base of the steps which lead to the caves. The island is thickly wooded with palm, mango and tamarind trees. The island has a population of about 1,200 involved in growing rice, fishing, and repairing boats. It was once the capital of a powerful local kingdom. [Wikipedia.org]
The Elephanta Caves are the focal point of the Elephanta Island, located in the Mumbai harbour off the coast of Mumbai (Bombay), India. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1]
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.[2] [3] The caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings of the 9th through 13th centuries (810–1260).[citation needed] 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 faces of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar embodied as one being one among them. 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. About the Trimurti, historian Grousset points out, "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"
Info, from the Archaeological Survey of India signboard:
ELEPHANTA CAVES
Western India is famous for a string of rock-cut caves ranging in date from the 2nd century BC to 7th century AD. Around Mumbai alone, one can see several of them including the Buddhist temples of Kanheri and Kondivite and the Brahminical caves of Elephanta, Mandapeshwar and Jogeshwari. The island of Elephanta, originally known as Gharapuri, derives its name from a massive stone Elephant, now at the Veermata jijabai Bhonsale garden (formerly Victoria garden) in Mumbai. Except for a few Kshatrapa coins of the 4th century AD found here, nothing is known of the history of Elephanta prior to the defeat of Mauryan rulers of Konkan by the Chalukyan Emperor Pulakesin - II of Badami in a naval battle for the island in 635 AD, making the dating of he caves difficult.
The cave complex comprises of five rock-cut excavations of which three are rock-cut temples. Cave-1 or the main cave , dedicated to Siva is of main interest and is datable to the mid 7th century AD. It consists of a pillared hall with a small shrine and four entrance doors flanked by guardians (Dvarapalas), making the composition a unique example of blending of the Gupta and Chalukyan arts. While the massive but graceful figures of divinities, guardians and certain architectural features such as the square pillar with cushion capitals suggest Chalukyan influence, the depiction of mountains and clouds and the hairstyles of women are reminiscent of Gupta art. The sculptured panels depict Siva as Anugrahamurti (Bestower of gifts), or Samharmurti (destroyer of evil or ignorance ) The figure of Mahesamurti (as Shiva is called when all the thee aspects of creation, protection, and destruction are combined) in the central panel of the back wall is a masterpiece of Chalukyan-Gupta art, Shiva's calm face in the centre represents the protector, while his ferocious face on the left represents Bhairava responsible for destruction and one on the right the gentle feminine look depicts Vamadeva responsible for creation. Other important panels on the sidewalls are those of Yogisvara (lord of yoga), Siva as Nataraja (cosmic dancer), Ardhanarisvara, Gangadhara. Andhakasura-vadha and Ravananugraha Siva. The ceiling of the main cave is believed to have been originally painted with different colours. The circular pedestal in the open courtyard marks the seat of Nandi (Bull), the vehicle of Siva. The side cave has a small shrine and a Pradakshinapatha (Circumambulatory assage) with an interesting panel of Ashtamatrikas (eight mother ses) flanked by Kartikeya and Ganesha. There are two unfinished rock-cut caves and remains of a Stupa, located on the adjacent eastern hillock. [...] Elephanta caves were inscribed in the UNESCO 'World Heritage List in 1987
The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated between the 5th and 8th centuries, although the identity of the original builders is still a subject of debate. The caves are carved in solid basalt rock. The caves were originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain.
Stone Idol of Hindu God carved out of stone known as "Mahesa-murti" at Elephanta Cave.It is a colossal bust of the three forms of Lord Siva, the aghora, turbulent and fearsome; tatpurusha, benign and meditative and vamadeva, mild pleasing and lovable. The Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Title: Elephanta Caves
Date: [c.1860-1880]
Extent: 1 photograph: b&w ; (21x27.5cm)
Notes: From a two album set of souvenir photographs from a voyage to and tour of duty in India.
Format: Photograph
Rights Info: No known restrictions on access
Repository: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada, M5S 1A5, library.utoronto.ca/fisher
Part of: MS Coll. 292 Gilpin-Brown, Edward papers.
Finding Aid located at: www.library.utoronto.ca/fisher/collections/findaids/gilpi...
(From the "Elephanta Caves" entry in Wikipedia)
The Elephanta Caves (Marathi: घारापुरीच्या लेण्या - Caves of Gharapuri) are caves located on Elephanta Island in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai, Maharashtra, India that contain Shaivistic high reliefs in stone of Hindu deities important to worshipers of Shiva. The sculptures were created beginning in the late Gupta Empire, or some time after, and at later dates. Elephanta Island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork.[1]
Title: Elephanta Caves
Date: [c.1860-1880]
Extent: 1 photograph: b&w ; (21x27.5cm)
Notes: From a two album set of souvenir photographs from a voyage to and tour of duty in India.
Format: Photograph
Rights Info: No known restrictions on access
Repository: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada, M5S 1A5, library.utoronto.ca/fisher
Part of: MS Coll. 292 Gilpin-Brown, Edward papers.
Finding Aid located at: www.library.utoronto.ca/fisher/collections/findaids/gilpi...
Title: Elephanta Caves
Date: [c.1860-1880]
Extent: 1 photograph: b&w ; (21x27.5cm)
Notes: From a two album set of photographs documenting a voyage to and tour of duty in India. Some were taken by Shepherd and Robertson Photographic Studio.
Format: Photograph
Rights Info: No known restrictions on access
Repository: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada, M5S 1A5, library.utoronto.ca/fisher
Part of: MS Coll. 292 Gilpin-Brown, Edward papers.
Finding Aid located at: www.library.utoronto.ca/fisher/collections/findaids/gilpi...
Please do not use my photographs without my permission.
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© Mr.Volk
The Elephanta Caves are the focal point of the Elephanta Island, located in the Mumbai harbour off the coast of Mumbai (Bombay), India. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1]
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.[2] [3] The caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings of the 9th through 13th centuries (810–1260).[citation needed] 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 faces of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar embodied as one being one among them. 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. About the Trimurti, historian Grousset points out, "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"
The Elephanta Caves are a great tourist attraction in the vicinity of the large Mumbai meteropolis. The Elephanta island is located 10 km away from the Gateway of India at Mumbai. 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. These rock cut temples dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva are rich in sculptural content. Motorboats take passengers from Appollo Bunder near the Gateway of India. .
How They were Constructed: This rock cut temples were created by carving out rock, and creating the columns, the internal spaces and the images. The entire temple is akin to a huge sculpture, through whose corridors and chambers one can walk. The entire complex was created through a process of rock removal. Some of the rock surfaces are highly finished while some are untreated bare rock.
The entire cave temple complex covers an area of about 60000 squrare feet and it consists a main chamber and two lateral ones , courtyards and several subsidary shrines. Above the temple is the mass of natural rock.
There are three entrances to this temple. The ones on the east and the west marking the axis of the temple. A 20 pillared hall lines the axis, and on its western end is the cella in shich is enshrined a Shivalingam. The pillars consist of fluted columns standing on square bases, and are crowned with fluted cushion capitals.
The enigmatic image of Trimurthi Sadasiva: The Sadasiva manifestation of Shiva is carved in relief at the end of the north south axis. This collossal 20 feet high image of the three headed Shiva, Trimurthy is a magnificient one, considered to be a masterpiece of Indian art. This colossal image represents Panchamukha Shiva, only three faces of whom are carved into the wall and it demands immediate attention upon entering the temple through the northern entrance.
Also on the southern wall are grand sculptured images of Kalyanasundara, Gangadhara, Ardhanariswara and Uma Maheswara. To the west of the northern entrance are sculptured images of Nataraja and Andhakaasuravadamoorthy, and to its east are images of Yogiswara and Ravanaanugrahamurthy.
Thus in the Elephanta caves, Shiva is portrayed in the non anthropomorphic Shivalingam form, as well as in his quintessential being emanating from the Shivalingam in the colossal image, and in 8 manifest forms.
To the east of the main temple is a courtyard, flanked by the secondary shrine. This temple contains six pillars at its entrance, four of which are free standing and two engaged. The entrance leads to a hall decorated with sculptured panels depicting legends from the Shiva Purana.
A short trip to Elephanta Caves, after AGES. History lesson (and some mythology as well) courtesy the Archeological Survey of India (Output of a photograph run through Optical Character Recognition, so might have typos)
ELEPHANTA CAVES
Western India is famous for a string of rock-cut caves ranging in date from the 2nd century BC to 7th century AD. Around Mumbai alone, one can see several of them including the Buddhist temples of Kanheri and Kondivite and the Brahminical caves of Elephanta, Mandapeshwar and Jogeshwari. The island of Elephanta, originally known as Gharapuri, derives its name from a massive stone Elephant, now at the Veermata jijabai Bhonsale garden (formerly Victoria garden) in Mumbai. Except for a few Kshatrapa coins of the 4th century AD found here, nothing is known of the history of Elephanta prior to the defeat of Mauryan rulers of Konkan by the Chalukyan Emperor Pulakesin - II of Badami in a naval battle for the island in 635 AD, making the dating of he caves difficult.
The cave complex comprises of five rock-cut excavations of which three are rock-cut temples. Cave-1 or the main cave , dedicated to Siva is of main interest and is datable to the mid 7th century AD. It consists of a pillared hall with a small shrine and four entrance doors flanked by guardians (Dvarapalas), making the composition a unique example of blending of the Gupta and Chalukyan arts. While the massive but graceful figures of divinities, guardians and certain architectural features such as the square pillar with cushion capitals suggest Chalukyan influence, the depiction of mountains and clouds and the hairstyles of women are reminiscent of Gupta art. The sculptured panels depict Siva as Anugrahamurti (Bestower of gifts), or Samharmurti (destroyer of evil or ignorance ) The figure of Mahesamurti (as Shiva is called when all the thee aspects of creation, protection, and destruction are combined) in the central panel of the back wall is a masterpiece of Chalukyan-Gupta art, Shiva's calm face in the centre represents the protector, while his ferocious face on the left represents Bhairava responsible for destruction and one on the right the gentle feminine look depicts Vamadeva responsible for creation. Other important panels on the sidewalls are those of Yogisvara (lord of yoga), Siva as Nataraja (cosmic dancer), Ardhanarisvara, Gangadhara. Andhakasura-vadha and Ravananugraha Siva. The ceiling of the main cave is believed to have been originally painted with different colours. The circular pedestal in the open courtyard marks the seat of Nandi (Bull), the vehicle of Siva. The side cave has a small shrine and a Pradakshinapatha (Circumambulatory assage) with an interesting panel of Ashtamatrikas (eight mother ses) flanked by Kartikeya and Ganesha. There are two unfinished rock-cut caves and remains of a Stupa, located on the adjacent eastern hillock. [...] Elephanta caves were inscribed in the UNESCO 'World Heritage List in 1987
The Elephanta Caves are the focal point of the Elephanta Island, located in the Mumbai harbour off the coast of Mumbai (Bombay), India. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1]
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.[2] [3] The caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings of the 9th through 13th centuries (810–1260).[citation needed] 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 faces of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar embodied as one being one among them. 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. About the Trimurti, historian Grousset points out, "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"
An island, about 1 hour by ferry from the Gateway to India monument, housing a series of Hindu Temples, carved out of the rock
The Elephanta Caves are the focal point of the Elephanta Island, located in the Mumbai harbour off the coast of Mumbai (Bombay), India. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1]
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.[2] [3] The caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings of the 9th through 13th centuries (810–1260).[citation needed] 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 faces of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar embodied as one being one among them. 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. About the Trimurti, historian Grousset points out, "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"
The sculptures here were created beginning in the late Gupta Empire, or some time after, and at later dates. Elephanta Island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork.
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