History of Elephanta Caves
The historical backdrop of the Elephanta Caves has no strong confirmations and depends on various deductions drawn from theories and propositions. It is accepted that the Elephanta Caves were worked by Pandavas, be that as it may, some likewise credit the equivalent to Banasura, the evil presence enthusiast of Shiva. Nearby convention directs that the caverns were not worked by the hands of men by any means. Students of history date the Elephanta Caves back to late fifth - eighth century AD however unearthings of Kshatrapa coins dated to fourth century AD have likewise been uncovered here. Records are accessible from the destruction of the Mauryan leaders of Konkan by the Badami Chalukyas ruler Pulakesi II. Around then, Elephanta was known as Puri or Purika and was the capital of the Konkan Mauryas. Therefore, a few history specialists accept that the caverns were worked by them during their rule. Different history specialists have credited the caverns to the Kalachuris who are accepted to have some association with the Konkan Mauryas. These presumptions depend on the way that the Elephanta caverns are committed to Pashupata Shaivismsect, an order to which Kalachuris just as Konkan Mauryas had a place. Other than these, the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas are additionally accepted to have been behind the production of these sublime caverns.
Following the standard of the Chalukyas, Elephanta Caves fell under the control of the Gujarat Sultanate, who gave up it to the Portuguese in 1534. The Portuguese renamed the island as "Elephanta Island" because of the tremendous stone statue of an elephant that was arranged close to the island. Elephanta Caves saw significant crumbling under the Portuguese until 1661, when the caverns went under the region of the British. The primary cavern was reestablished during the 1970s yet different caverns are still in an entirely miserable condition. The Elephanta Caves got included in UNESCO's rundown of World Heritage Site in 1987 and turned into a significantly progressively famous vacationer goal after that.
Architecture of Elephanta Caves
The entire complex of the Elephanta Caves is based on a zone of 60,000 square feet and it has seven caverns. The principle cavern was the Hindu spot of love under the Portuguese standard. It has a pillared mandapa, open porticoes and a walkway. The dividers are cut out of stone and various divinities show up here. The principle cavern has a statue of Ravana lifting Kailash mountain, Shiva-Parvati on Kailash, Ardhanarishvara which is a sign of Shiva and Parvati in a similar body, Trimurti which is the three types of Lord Shiva, Gangadhara which is a course of the Ganges from the sky to the earth, a delineation of Shiva's wedding, Shiva killing Andhaka, Nataraja or a portrayal of Shiva playing out the Taandav, Yogishvara and the Shiva Linga. The east wing sanctum of the Elephanta Caves has carvings on Kartikeya, Matrikas, Ganesha and Dvarapala upon its surface, while the west wing has Yogishvara and Nataraja enhancing the caverns.
How to Reach Elephanta Caves
From any point in Mumbai, get a nearby train to Churchgate or CST station. From that point you can either stroll to the Gateway of India or contract a taxi. Then again, you can arrive at the Gateway of India legitimately through the nearby transport. On arriving at the Gateway of India, you need to procure a ship to the Elephanta Caves.
