| Hewn out of
solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD, and
attract more visitors each year than the entire city of
Mumbai. No wonder: this place resonates with the
spiritual energy of India. The cave complex is a
collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand
halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of
Indian rock-cut architecture, and filled with exquisite
stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. It is
situated on Gharapuri Island in Mumbai's harbour, about
an hour's boatride from the Gateway Of India. At the
entrance to the caves is the famous Trimurti, the
celebrated trinity of Elephanta : there's Lord Brahma the
Creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva the
Destroyer Unfortunately, many of the sculptures inside
have been damaged by iconoclastic Portuguese rulers who
took potshots at Hindu Gods with their rifles. And yet
somehow, nothing has disturbed the sublime beauty of this
place for centuries. |
