The Elephanta Caves are rock-cut cave temples on Elephanta Island, near Mumbai, that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Constructed between the 5th and 7th centuries, the caves are predominantly dedicated to Lord Shiva, featuring intricate sculptures like the three-headed Trimurti.
(three-headed Shiva), Gangadhara, and Ardhnareshwar.
The most important among the caves is the great Cave 1, which
measures 39 metres from the front entrance to the back. In plan, this
cave in the western hill closely resembles Dumar Lena cave at Ellora, in
India. The main body of the cave, excluding the porticos on the three
open sides and the back aisle, is 27 metres square and is supported by
rows of six columns each.
The 7-metre-high masterpiece “Sadashiva” dominates the
entrance to Cave 1. The sculpture represents three aspects of Shiva: the
Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer, identified, respectively,
with Aghora or Bhairava (left half), Taptapurusha or Mahadeva (central full face), and Vamadeva or Uma (right half). Representations of Nataraja, Yogishvara, Andhakasuravadha, Ardhanarishwara,
Although much is still unknown about them and their construction dates back centuries later than commonly reported, some theories attribute the building of these caves to figures such as Pandavas or Banasura or even Konkan Mauryas, Kalachuris, Chalukyas or Rashtrakutas - adding further intrigue.
Elephanta Caves have experienced transitions across centuries.
1534 it passed from Gujarat Sultanate control into Portuguese hands and was later given its current name of "Elephanta Island," an homage to an impressive elephant sculpture on its vicinity,
Portuguese era left significant deterioration on these sacred chambers
1970s revival efforts that revived their main cave -
Besides the caves, Elephanta Island possesses archaeological remains from as early as the 2nd century BC and from the Portuguese period, as witnessed, respectively, by stupas buried towards the eastern side of the hillock and a canon located at its top. Moreover, the caves are preserved in the form of monolithic temples, sarvatobhadra garbhgriha (sanctum), mandapa (courtyard), rock-cut architecture, and sculptures.