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| Elephanta Caves off Mumbai en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Elephanta rock-cut caves, Off Mumbai, Maharashtra: The Caves are said to have been built in the eighth century. but the sculptures in many shrines were damaged by the Portuguese colonists. The Portuguese were in control of the isles off Bombay Later the British restored them. image.British got the isles from the Portuguese through wedding dowry. image.Univ. of Houston.
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Elephanta Caves, MH image.Vaikoovery en.wikipedia.org |
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Elephanta Caves off Mumbai en.wikipedia.org |
The Elephanta Caves, located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour, Maharashtra, are a collection of rock-cut temples predominantly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Dating between the 5th and 9th centuries CE, the caves feature intricate sculptures, including the famous Trimurti Sadashiva and depictions of Shiva as Nataraja and Yogishvara. The caves are arranged in a mandala pattern and reflect syncretism between Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The site was named "Elephanta" by the Portuguese and is now a protected monument. The island, surrounded by lush vegetation, also contains Buddhist stupas. The caves, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), were restored in the 1970s and are accessible by ferry from Mumbai.
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| Hindu God Trimurti, image Ronakshah. en.wiki.pedia |
Above image Elephanta Caves, MH, Hindu god trimurti flanked by Dwarabala
Key elements of the Elephanta Caves include: Main Cave (Cave 1): It is the largest and most prominent cave, featuring a mandapa (pillared hall) with intricately carved pillars that create a rhythmic structure within the cave. The cave has entrances from both the north and south, leading into a spacious hall divided by rows of stone columns, each adorned with decorative capitals. The cave is dedicated to various forms of Shiva, including his abstract and anthropomorphic depictions.
Trimurti (Sadashiva): This iconic relief is the focal point of the cave and depicts a three-headed Shiva representing his roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer. It is one of the most important sculptures in Indian art and stands over 7 meters tall. The three faces symbolize different aspects of Shiva: creation (associated with Brahma), destruction (Rudra or Bhairava), and preservation (Tatpurusha or Vishnu).
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| Elephanta cave, M, east shrine upload.wikimedia.org image. Patrice78500 |
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| Elephanta cave, interior image. Vyacheslav Argenberg en.wikipedia.or |
Linga Shrine: The garbha-griha or sanctum contains a Shiva linga, which represents the abstract, formless aspect of Shiva. The shrine is surrounded by a circumambulatory path and guarded by eight dwarapalakas (door guardians). This sacred space aligns with the traditional layout of Hindu temples, emphasizing worship through the iconic symbol of Shiva.
Other Panels: The walls of the cave are adorned with large reliefs depicting various legends of Shiva, such as:
Ardhanarishvara, representing the fusion of male and female energies (Shiva and Parvati).
Gangadhara, showing Shiva receiving the descent of the Ganges River.
Shiva slaying Andhaka, a narrative of Shiva vanquishing a demon.
Kalyanasundara, the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
Portuguese Vandalism: Many of the sculptures and carvings in the cave were damaged during the Portuguese occupation in the 16th century, but the beauty and significance of the remaining works remain a testament to ancient Indian craftsmanship and religious expression.
The Elephanta Caves are an extraordinary representation of Shaivism and Indian rock-cut architecture, attracting both pilgrims and tourists for their historical, spiritual, and artistic value.
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