The cave temples to Siva, on the island of Elephanta, in the Bombay harbour, contain some of the most magnificent sculptures in the Deccan. The dating of the caves seems to be controversial. They were probably finished some time between 450 and 750 AD. The complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Access from Mumbai is by boats leaving from the Gateway of India. There are three entrances to the main temple in the complex- from the north, east and west. The main gallery is divided by columns into equal rows and aisles. To the west, and outside this area, is a square sanctuary containing a monolithic Linga. The huge, high-relief works in the main cave, on both sides of the three entrances and on the south wall, are characteristic of the cult of Siva and considered to be among the most perfect expressions of Indian art of their time. The most well-known is the six metre high Trimurti, showing Siva in the three roles of creator, preserver and destroyer. This sculpture is supposed to be one of the centerpiece.
d point where boats will left u...!!!
Toy train which will take ppl to the caves starting point...!!!
d very first stone sculpture which you will find near cave 1...!!!
Cave 1
Cave 1
Cave 2...!!!
The most well-known is the six metre high Trimurti, showing Siva in the three roles of creator, preserver and destroyer. This sculpture is supposed to be one of the centerpieces of the Indian sculptural tradition.
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The garba-griha itself encloses the main lingam, representative of Shiva and male energy, while the southern wall showcases Sadasiva, flanked by chapels to Ardhanareshvara and Gangadhara (the bearer of Ganga, from her fall from heaven).
Creator, Preserver and The Destroyer.....Lord Shiva.
A sculpture of Shiva as Destroyer.
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