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Elephanta Caves – UNESCO World Heritage Site

The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987.

Wester India is famous for a string of rock-cut temples ranging in date from the 2nd century BC to the 12 century AD. Around Mumbai alone one can see within a radius of 20 kms several of them including the Buddhist rock cut temples of Kanheri and Kondivite and the Brahmanical Caves of Elephanta, Mandapeshwar and Jogeshwar.

The Island of Elephanta, originally known as Gharapuri, derived its name from a massive stone elephant, now displayed in the Victoria Gardens in Mumbai. Except for a few Kshatrapa coins of the 4th century AD found here, nothing is known of the history of Elephanta, prior to the defeat of Mauryan rulers of Konkan by the Chalukya Emperor Pulikesin II of Badami in the naval battle of the Island in 635 AD.

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There are three caves [rock-cut-temples] of which one is dedicated to Siva. Others are of no particular interest. the main cave datable to the seventh century AD comprises of a pillared hall with four entrance doors flanked by Guardians [dvarapalas]. It is a unique example of happy blending of Gupta and Chalukya Acts While the massive but graceful figures of divinities and guardians and certain architectural features like square pillars with custom capitals suggests Chalukyan influence. The depiction of mountains and clouds and hair style of women are reminiscent of Gupta Art.

The sculptured panels depict Siva as Anugrahamurti [bestower of gifts] or Samharamurti [destroyer of evil or ignorance]. The figure of Mahesamurti [as Siva is called when all three aspects of creator, protector and destroyer are combined].

Main Cave/ Shiva Cave / Cave I:   The main cave, also called the Shiva cave, Cave 1, or the Great Cave,  square in plan with a hall [mandapa].  The  hall is supported by stone columns joined together by capitals. The cave entrance is aligned with the north–south axis, unusual for a Shiva shrine , which is normally east–west.  The walls of the cave  has large carvings of Shiva, each more than 16 ft in height.

There are 9 relief sculptures on the walls of the main hall, and 6 more in the East and West Wing Shrine, making a total of 15 relief sculptures. There location can be seen in the map below, from Wikimedia commons..
[1] Ravana lifting Kailash, [2] Shiva-Parvati on Kailash, [3] Ardhanarishvara [half-man, half-woman form of Shiva], [4] Trimurti / Mahesamurti [three-headed bust of Shiva as Creator, Protector and Destroyer], [5] Gangadhara [River Ganga descending from Shiva’s matted locks], [6] Kalyanasundara [Wedding of Shiva to goddess Parvati], [7] Andhakarsurava [Shiva slaying demon Andhaka], [8] Nataraja [Shiva as King of Dance/ Lord of Dance], [9] Yogishvara [Shiva as Lord of Yoga].
East Wing Shrine: [10] Kartikeya,  [11] Matrikas,  [12] Ganesha and  [13] Dvarapala, and….
West Wing Shrine: [14] Yogishvara and [15] Nataraja.

 

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Back of the cave facing the north entrance: Trimurti, flanked on left by Ardhanarishvara [half-man, half-woman form of Shiva] and on right Gangadhara [River Ganga descending from Shiva’s matted locks]. The central panel with Trimurti [the three headed bust of Lord Shiva] is perhaps the most important relief-sculpture in the caves. It shows the three forms of Shiva as Creator, Protector and Destroyer. In the center is Vamadeva or Preserver, on the West is Brahma/Sadyojata or Creator and on the East is Rudra/Aghora or destroyer].

West entrance: Kalyanasundara [Lord Shiva marrying goddess Parvati] and Andhakarsurava [Lord Shiva slaying demon Andhka].
East entrance: Ravana lifting Kailash, and Shiva-Parvati on Kailash.
Main cave shrine: The central shrine is a free-standing square cell, with entrances on each of its sides. Each door is flanked by two dvarapalas (gate keepers). The Linga, the symbol of Shiva in union with the Yoni, and the symbol of Parvati together symbolise the supreme unity that is deified by the shrine. The Linga is set on a raised platform above the floor of the shrine by 6 feet. Six steps lead to this level from the floor level.
East Wing Shrine: Kartikeya, Matrikas, Ganesha and Dvarapala.
West Wing Shrine: Yogishvara and Nataraja.

 

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North entrance: Yogishvara [Lord of Yoga], and Nataraja [Lord of Dance / King of Dance / Cosmic Dancer].

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Back of the cave facing the north entrance: Trimurti, flanked on left by Ardhanarishvara [half-man, half-woman form of Shiva] and on right Gangadhara [River Ganga descending from Shiva’s matted locks]. The central panel with Trimurti [the three headed bust of Lord Shiva] is perhaps the most important relief-sculpture in the caves. It shows the three forms of Shiva as Creator, Protector and Destroyer. In the center is Vamadeva or Preserver, on the West is Brahma/Sadyojata or Creator and on the East is Rudra/Aghora or destroyer].

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West entrance: Kalyanasundara [Lord Shiva marrying goddess Parvati] and Andhakarsurava [Lord Shiva slaying demon Andhka].

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Main cave shrine: The central shrine is a free-standing square cell, with entrances on each of its sides. Each door is flanked by two dvarapalas (gate keepers). The Linga, the symbol of Shiva in union with the Yoni, and the symbol of Parvati together symbolise the supreme unity that is deified by the shrine. The Linga is set on a raised platform above the floor of the shrine by 6 feet. Six steps lead to this level from the floor level.

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