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.
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