Have you come to visit Mumbai and haven’t seen the Elephanta Caves? Then it seems as if you did not eat pav at all while eating pav bhaji! Elephanta Caves are not just sculptures carved out of stone, but they are a touch of history that takes you away from today’s hustle and bustle of Mumbai and takes you to the world of peace and art.
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Elephanta Caves: History
The story begins in the middle of the sea
You must have seen the caves of Elephanta, but do you know that they were also called Deephakoot? Yes, it means “deep cave”. These caves are located on a small island, which is located in the Arabian Sea, just a short distance from Mumbai. You can only imagine how mysterious these caves must have seemed to them in olden times when people would have come here.
Who built these caves?
Now comes the biggest question – who built the Elephanta caves? There is still a debate going on about this matter among historians. It is said that these caves were built during the reign of Gupta Empire or Chalukya Dynasty. By studying the statues and inscriptions of Lord Shiva made on the walls of these caves, historians have estimated the time to be between the 5th to 8th century.
The Portuguese gave the name Elephanta
She got the name Elephanta later. When the Portuguese came here in the 16th century, they named it Elephanta after seeing a large elephant statue built at the gate. Although, now this statue is quite damaged, but its name is still associated with these caves.
Glimpse of Shiva devotion
The most special thing in the caves of Elephanta is the sculpture and inscriptions related to Lord Shiva. The huge statue of Trimurti (the combined form of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) located in the main cave is a sight to behold. Apart from this, the idol of Nataraja, the idol of Gangadhar and many Shivalingas are also seen here. Looking at these caves it seems as if they were built as a grand temple of Shiva devotion.
The mystery still remains
Even today, historians have to find answers to many questions about the Elephanta caves. Why were these caves built, who were the people who built them, and why was their work suddenly stopped – these are some of the questions that are yet to be answered. Perhaps this mystery has made the Elephanta caves even more special.
Elephanta Caves Architecture
Temples built by cutting mountains
Elephanta caves are actually temples, which have been built by cutting black 玄武 sham (kale hanumant shakti) stones. Imagine, so much hard work must have been done just to build the temple! As soon as you enter the caves, you will feel as if you have reached the heart of a mountain. The intricate carvings on the walls and ceiling of each cave are a sight to behold.
wonder of natural light
The special thing about these caves is that there is no need of any lamp or torch for lighting here. The caves are built in such a way that the sun rays from outside reach inside directly. This slowly coming light makes the sculptures and carvings inside the caves even more beautiful.
Unique example of craftsmanship
Along with architecture, craftsmanship can also be seen in the caves of Elephanta. Every idol here is carved so finely that it seems as if it would come alive. The huge statue of Trimurti situated in the main cave is an example of amazing artistry. Apart from this, the carvings done on the idol of Nataraja, the idol of Gangadhar and Shivalingas are also worth seeing closely. It is said that the craftsmen who made these idols were supported by some divine power.
story telling walls
The walls of the caves of Elephanta are not just stones, but they tell stories related to Lord Shiva. Various forms of Shiva are depicted on these walls like Shiva Parvati marriage, Shiva tandav (Tandav), and Dakshinamurthy. Seeing these idols you will get lost in the mythological stories related to Shiva.
Beauty withstanding the ravages of time
Elephanta caves are centuries old. Although the ravages of time have reduced some of their beauty, even today these caves show a part of their grandeur. Looking at these caves, it can be estimated how grand they must have once been.
Elephanta Caves: Today
The fun of local trains and the thrill of caves
The fun of reaching Elephanta caves is something different. You catch the local train from Mumbai CST station. While traveling in a packed train, you will get to see the real life of Mumbai. And then when you board a small boat from the Gateway of India and reach the island of Elephanta, the calm atmosphere there will take you to a world completely different from the noise of Mumbai.
Instagram-worthy photos or getting lost in the depths of history?
While roaming in the caves of Elephanta, there are two paths in front of you. One way is to travel around as quickly as possible, stopping in front of each statue to take a photo and show off your trip on Instagram. But the other way is to stop for a while, look at each statue carefully, and try to understand the stories hidden behind them. This route will take you into the depths of history and explain the real importance of the Elephanta Caves.
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Learn history with the help of a guide
If you want to know more about the Elephanta Caves, take the help of a guide present there. These guides will tell you about the secrets of Lord Shiva’s idols, the technique of making caves, and the history of these caves in such a way that you will keep listening.
Return to Mumbai and its spicy chaat
While returning from Elephanta Caves, you can visit the Gateway of India. And yes, do not forget to enjoy the spicy chaat there on your return. This chaat will bring the taste of history to your tongue!
How to Reach Elephanta Caves
After seeing the beauty of Mumbai, if you want to dive into the deep sea of history and art, then definitely visit the Elephanta Caves. These caves are not only an example of magnificent architecture, but also contain stories related to Lord Shiva.
Elephanta Caves are in the Arabian Sea, just off Mumbai, so you won’t need a ship to reach there! Come, today let us tell you how you can easily reach Elephanta Caves:
- Local train ride
The real fun of visiting Mumbai is something else. To reach Elephanta caves you can take the help of local train. From CST station, catch any densha – electric train which goes towards south.
Mumbai CST station
Get down at Churchgate or CSMT station. Gateway of India is just a short distance from both the stations. You can also go there on foot or take a rickshaw.
- Ferry from Gateway of India
After reaching Gateway of India, you will find ferries to Elephanta.
Gateway of India Mumbai
A ferry leaves for Elephanta every half hour. The ferry ride takes about an hour. During this time you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mumbai.
- Access to Elephanta Caves
After reaching the island of Elephanta, you will have to walk a little to reach the caves. However, this route is not very long and on the way you will also find many small shops from where you can buy water or some food items.
some special things
Ferry tickets are available at Gateway of India only.
Elephanta Caves remain closed on Mondays.
Traveling with the help of a guide can be more fun, as they can tell you many interesting things about the caves.
There is a lot of sunlight in Elephanta, so do not forget to wear a hat, glasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
The path to reach Elephanta Caves may seem a little long, but after reaching there you will not remember this path at all. These caves will mesmerize you so much with their history and art that you will forget all about time.
- Ferry Charges: ₹ 150 for adults; ₹ 125 for kids (3 to 7 years of age)
- Toy Train Ride: ₹ 10 per person
Things to See in the Elephanta Caves Complex
Elephanta Caves are not just rock-cut caves, but they are a treasure trove of art, history and religion. While roaming in these caves, you will get to see something new in every corner. So let us tell you today what things can be special for you to see while roaming in the caves of Elephanta:
- Huge statue of Trimurti:
As soon as you enter the main cave, the first thing that catches your eye is the huge statue of Trimurti present there. This idol depicts the trinity form of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. This statue, about 20 feet high, is so magnificent that you will be amazed to see it. It is said that looking at this idol it seems as if these three gods are talking to you.
- Lord Shiva in different forms:
Elephanta caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Therefore, here you will see many statues depicting different forms of Lord Shiva. The dancing pose of Nataraja, the calm pose of Gangadhar, and the strange form of Ardhanarishvara – all these sculptures are not only examples of excellence of art, but also narrate the mythological stories related to Lord Shiva.
- Intricate carvings on the walls:
The special thing about Elephanta caves is the detailed carvings done on their walls. In these carvings you will see Shiva Parvati marriage, Shiva tandav, and idols of Lord Ganesha. These carvings have been made with such detail that it seems as if they would come alive. Sometimes you will even feel as if someone had made this carving just yesterday!
- Secret of the secret door:
It is said that there is a secret door somewhere in the caves of Elephanta. What is hidden behind this door is still a mystery. Some people believe that this door leads to some secret temple or treasure. So who knows, you might manage to find this secret door during your trip to Elephanta!
- Museum covering the history of Elephanta:
There is also a small museum outside the Elephanta caves. The history and artefacts of Elephanta have been preserved in this museum. By coming here you can get more information about the caves.