Located close to the concrete jungle of Mumbai, the
Elephanta Caves lie just off the coast of the Arabian Sea, situated at a 10 km
radius from the bustling metropolis.One of the oldest rock cut structures in
the country, the Elephanta Caves are the perfect expressions of
archaic Indian art associated to the cult of Lord Shiva. Primarily
believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, the Elephanta Caves are an epitome of
Hindu Cave culture and are a unique testimony to a bygone civilization. The
origins of the Elephanta Caves have been debated time and again, though the
sculptures and the art speak volumes about the time from when they could have
been popular-6th or the 8th century. The island on which the caves are built
was originally known as Gharapuri, and the Portuguese retitled it as Elephanta
Island when they discovered a large stone structure of an Elephant on the
island. The temple was primarily built for the worship of Lord Shiva and
'Shivaism'. However, it is believed that the Portuguese destroyed many other
structures and even used the idols of Hindu Gods within the caves for target
practice. Today, the site is a popular tourist hot-spot.
Boat ride per
say is not spectacular , expect that you’ll get a fine view of the Mumbai
Harbour and the Gate Way of India with a the Taj Mahal Hotel adjacent to it.
You may also pass a few massive tanker ships moored and the Bucher’s Island
with a whitewashed fort on it.
The boat
journey is itself part of the experience, with so many things to see that time
flies past.This is one of the few places in Mumbai, where you can see flocks
of seagulls at any time of the day!
Once we
reached the island, there is a tiny toy train which takes us to the foot of the
hills. It costs Rs.10 for the return journey, but takes less than 5 minutes.
A small island just off the coast of the Arabian Sea may be
the least expected place for Shopping for souvenirs, but get ready to
be pleasantly surprised with the collection of local Elephanta souvenirs that
you can take back home.
Once you are
on the island, a short walk uphill will bring you to the local flea market. A
paradise for women, this little market offers sculptures made of marble, jewelry, clothes, paintings of Lord Shiva and many amazing items of wood work.
If you are
collecting Indian artifacts, then there is no better place to shop for
souvenirs than the Elephanta Caves.
Entry ticket
In modern
times, the Elephanta cave temple has been fully identified as a complex dedicated
to Shiva and his various forms, and extensive studies on its iconography are under
way.
Shiv ling
Trimurti
Sadashiva and Maheshmurti, the three heads are said to represent three essential
aspects of Shiva - creation, protection, and destruction
Elephanta
today bears marks of much use and abuse – from the ravages of time to the
bullets of drunken sailors, the temple has lost much of its former glory and
stands a mute testimony to the cult of Shiva – Rudra, the Wild God, Pashupati,
the God of Wild Animals, the Indus Valley cult figure who was assimilated in
Vedic culture and would go on to become one of the most important figures of
the Hindu pantheon
How To Reach
By Ferry/Boat
To go to Elephanta Caves, one will have to go to
the Gateway of India in Mumbai and take a boat/ferry ride from there. The
journey takes one hour by sea. Tickets for a deluxe boat are Rs. 140 for adults
and Rs. 90 for children. Economy boats charge Rs. 20 less on both tickets. The
first boat leaves at 9:00 AM and the last boat from the island leaves at 5:00
PM.
The Elephanta Caves is a great place to get away
from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai metropolis. This trip to the caves will
take you back in time, when faith, religion, hard labor, art and romanticism
served as a base for everyday living. The Elephanta Caves are a glorious
testimony to the aesthetics of a forgotten world and stand as one of the most
popular tourist destinations, along with being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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