The historic Elephanta Caves is located at Elephanta Islands in Mumbai. The Elephanta Caves is the pride owner of some of the finest rock - cut sculptures in India. Elephanta is strewn with spiritual remnants. Smaller temples, Buddhist burial mounds and caves of lesser significance abound. But it is the great Cave, a masterpiece of Chalukyan - Gupta art, that the island is most revered for. One can see the spectacular 22-ft Panchamukha Shiva ( Lord Of the Five Faces ). Each face represents one aspect of the divinity of Shiva. Some of them are - Maheshamurti, Bhairdeva, Vamdeva etc. However there are other representations of Lord Shiva too like - Dancing as Nataraja ; slaying demons; playing chausa with Parvati; the lord as Ardhanarisvara. There are also the Dwarpals or the gatekeepers, their pot-bellied dwarfs, and in an adjacent shrine, the ashtamatrikas , where fisherwomen perform navas, offering their gratitude for favours granted. But the focal point of Elephanta is the Shiva and the Lingam.

Take a ferry to Elephanta and on the way look out for Cannon Hills and the ASI Museum.

Year Of Kudos

In 1987, the Caves of Elephanta were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves are frequently visited by the domestic as well as foreign tourists.

Peppery Bulletin

• The Elephanta Island was named by the Portuguese after the statue of an elephant near the landing area of the island was found.
• In recent years, complaints have been made that the visitors mistreat the cultural and historic site of Elephanta.
• The island of Elephanta was originally known as Gharapuri.
• The rock-cut temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva was excavated in the 8th century.
• The carvings of these caves combines the graceful forms of South Indian Hindu sculpture with the exactness and poise of Buddhist Gupta Arts.
• The monument is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Large number of visitors come to Elephanta Island in February to enjoy the Elephanta dance festival. The festival has become a major tourist attraction.

Go For..............

It would be a trip so incomplete without a ferry ride. A 75 minute journey through the churlish - grey waters would take you right back to the early centuries of the last millennium. You can also relish the sight of monkeys that reach you for food.