Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves
Located just outside metropolitan Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the Elephanta Caves are one of the unique attractions in India. These temples cut from rock date to the fifth century and are one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mumbai. Located just off the Mumbai coast, the island was renamed from Gharapuri to Elephanta Island by the Portuguese.
Named after the statue of an elephant near the island’s landing area, the caves comprise 60,000 square feet. Boats bring visitors to the island to explore the temple complex which includes courtyards, shrines, and three chambers. The entire complex was carved out of rock, resulting in columns, images, chambers and corridors. The temple is essentially a huge sculpture.
The temples are dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva and feature a twenty-foot image of Trimurthi Sadasiva representing Panchamukha Shiva, though only three faces appear on the relief. Other sculptured images on the southern wall include Gangadhara, Uma Maheswara, Kalyanasundara, and Ardhanariswara. The flanking the northern entrance to the temple are images of Andhakaasuravadamoorthy and Nataraja on the west and Ravanaanugrahamurthy and Yogiswara to the east.
Visitors to the Mumbai can explore other historical sites in the city including temples, colonial palaces, and museums. They can stay in modern five star Mumbai hotels, shop in western-style malls, and dine at world class restaurants. There are also traditional bazaars, street food vendors, and local shops and eateries. As it recovers from recent terrorist attacks, Mumbai will continue to be a popular tourist destination.