Stationed near Mumbai- the Financial Capital of India, Elephanta Caves, boasts of being a crucial historical and cultural spot. The caves are stationed on the Island of Gharapuri, which was named again as ‘Elephanta Island’. The Portuguese renamed this beautiful island. There is shrine inside the stunning cave, which is devoted to Lord Shiva. The stature of Elephanta Caves has a range of temples, grand halls, inner cells, and porticos that are in such a manner that they evolve life to the rock architecture of the country.
To relish this amazing place, you can book Mumbai Rajdhani 12952 Train at a vying price online. It is exclusively filled with some amazingly crafted sculptures of Hindu Goddesses and Gods.
Explore some of the most intriguing and interesting facts about the Elephanta Caves of Mumbai.
Elephanta caves history
The beautifully designed place goes back to the 5th century. According to the art historians, the age of the wearing paint is around the 5th century. They were eventually painted with complete bright colors, but with the time, they have eventually reduced them to just spots. The amazing caves are exclusively separated by bigger ones, the five of them are Hindu caves. There are two Buddhist caves also which are smaller in comparison.
One of the most amazing facts about these eye-catching caves is the scarcity of inscriptions. This ultimately makes the past of this caves quite conjectural. There are two credits provided, Banasura and Pandava. Both got credit for trimming livable caves, thus the sharing of two traditions, Buddhist and Hindi.
Interesting Facts Regarding Elephanta Caves
- Elephanta Caves are eventually considered to be dated back to the period of the Silhara Kings.
- The place on which Elephanta Caves are stationed was basically known as Gharapuri. It is to be said that a Portuguese gave it a name as Elephanta after they exclusively found a huge stone elephant just beside their landing space.
- The temple complex which is rock-cut envelops a region of around 5,600 m2 (60,000 sq ft), comprising of a 2 lateral chambers, main chamber, subsidiary shrines, and courtyards.
- There are experts that consider that the Prince of Chalukya Dynasty – Pulkesin ll, one of the greatest warrior constructed the Lord Shiva temple, to mark the celebration of his victory.
- Elephanta Caves were acknowledged a UNESCO World Heritage Site In 1987.
- The most amazing sculpture inside the Elephanta Caves is ultimate of Trimurti Sadasiva, constructed in relief, stationed at the end of the S-N axis. The structure with a height of 20 ft, is exclusively that of the three headed-Lord, depicting Panchamukha Shiva.
- In the 17th century, most of the structures inside the beautiful caves were damaged by the Portuguese, who utilized them for the practice of target.
- Lord Shiva at Elephanta Caves is also represented as Lord of Yogis– Yogisvara, placed on a lotus, and also as a Shiva Nataraja, the cosmic many-armed dancer.
- One of the structures in the caves represents Lord Shiva moving the Ganges River down to Earth, eventually letting it brizzle through his hair.
- Cave 1, depicting the emerged Brahmanical rock-cut structure, is the most appealing cave on the Island of Elephanta.
- There are around seven cave structures that form a segment of Elephanta Cave complex dating back to 5th-6th centuries A.D.
- Elephanta Caves are open for all viewing time from 9 am to 5 pm on all the days of the week, except Monday.
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