Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves are the focal point of Gharapuri Island, which was renamed the Elephanta Island by the Portuguese, located in the Mumbai harbour off the coast of Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists. In recent years, complaints have been made that visitors mistreat this important cultural and historic site.[1][2] Most of the sculptures here were defaced by the Portuguese, who used the sculptures as target practice in the 17th century. The Portuguese also gave the island its modern name, Elephanta from Gharapuri.[3]
 
Ardhanarishvara (half male-half female God) at Elephanta caves. Note the sculpture's left is female and the right is male, depicting Shiva and his consort Shakti/Parvati.

The caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings of the 9th through 13th centuries (810–1260).[citation needed] Some of the sculptures of this site are also attributed to the imperial Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (in present day Karnataka), the Trimurti of Elephanta showing the three faces of Shiva almost akin to the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. This was also the royal insignia of the Rashtrakutas. Other Rashtrakuta sculptures here are the reliefs of Nataraja and Sadashiva and the splendid sculptures of Ardhanarishvara.[citation needed]

The rock-cut temple complex cover an area of 60,000 sq ft consisting of a main chamber, 2 lateral ones, courtyards and subsidiary shrines. The site of these magnificent caves contained beautiful reliefs, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu god Śiva. The caves are hewn from solid rock.[4] The temple complex is said to be the abode of Shiva.


Trimurti-Sadashiva Statue
 
The great hall: Cave 1

The most important sculpture is that of Trimurti Sadasiva, carved in relief at the end of the N-S axis. The image, 20 ft in height is of the three headed-Shiva, representing Panchamukha Shiva.[5] The right half-face shows him as a young person with sensuous lips, embodying life and its vitality. In his hand he holds something that resembles a rose bud -- again with the promise of life and creativity. It is this face that is closest to that of Brahma, the creator or Uma or Vamadeva,the feminine side of Shiva.[6] The left half-face face on the side is that of a young man. It is moustached, and displays anger. This is Shiva as Aghora Bhairava[7], as the one whose anger can engulf the entire world in flames leaving only ashes behind. This is Shiva, the Destroyer. The central face, benign, meditative, as the preserver Vishnu. This is Shiva as the yogi -- Yogeshwar -- in deep meditation praying for the 'preservation' of humanity.