Maharashtra Travel Info
Elephanta Caves
A
trip to Elephanta is always appealing, since it involves a withdrawal from
the distractions and disturbances of Mumbai. Several journeys have to be
undertaken in order to reach the caves: water must be crossed, a mountain
climbed and a cave entered. For many people, this passage across, upward
and inward is more than a mere excursion; it is a progression towards the
world of the god, a pilgrimage to Shiva’s temple. Even for those unfamiliar
with the myths visualized here so forcefully in stone, the sculptures can
be appreciated for their outstanding artistic qualities. Indeed, they are
among the greatest masterpieces of Hindu art in its first formative phase
of development that lasted from the fourth to the ninth century AD.
The island of Elephanta is situated about 11km north west of Apollo Bunder,
the departure point for the ferries to the caves. The island consists of two
hills separated by a narrow valley, gradually rising to the east until it reaches
a height of almost 200 m above the sea.
The present name of “Elephanta actually derives from a colossal basalt
statue of an elephant measuring about 4.5 m long by 2.4 m high, which once stood
near Raj Bunder, the old landing place near the southern point of the island,
where most people arrived in the past.
Ferries
running to Elephanta now land at a new jetty, some distance away from Raj
Bunder, on the northern shore of the island. A short walk along the jetty
leads to a flight of steps which ascends to the caves. The climb ends at
the main cave on the side of the western hill of the island at an elevation
of about 85 m above sea level.
Elephanta has been the subject of innumerable reports and studies, however,
the caves remain enigmatic. Virtually nothing is known about who was responsible
for creating them or when they were excavated, nor is there any firm historical
foundation for the popular spiritual interpretations of the sculptures. Yet
it is not difficult to recognize the ethical and didactic underpinnings of classical
Hindu philosophy in these magnificent works of art. Hence their enduring fascination.
Maharashtra Travel Info, Elephanta Caves Reservation
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