Visit to Rock-cut-temples of Elephanta Caves

A day long excursion to the Elephanta Caves located on an island hill about 10 km from Mumbai in Arabian Sea was one of my memorable experience amongst many during Mumbai visit. We left early morning hiring a cab for The Gateway of India. Standing on banks of the vast Arabian Sea, this giant structure was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary on 2nd Dec 1911. The Structure was a combination of  Hindu and Muslim architectural styles:  the arch of Muslim style & the decorations of Hindu style. Near Gateway of India stood another magnificent building "The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel". A hotel that served as host to several big names of the world & that witnessed fearful terror attacks in 2008 stood firmly as if signifying Good always overcomes evil. As soon as we entered the campus of Gateway of India we were surrounded by people booking tickets for ferry ride to The Elephanta Caves. We booked our tickets costing Rs 150 per head for to and fro journey to the cave islands containing the rock cut temples that dated back from 2nd Century BC to 12th Century BC .

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel & Gateway of India

All the ferries were double- deckers with proper sitting arrangements in both. We chose the top deck which provided unrestricted view owning to properly lined chairs along the periphery. After all fellow passengers boarded our journey over Arabian Sea began. The city of Mumbai gradually diminished in size & finally was out of view. While sailing towards our destination we saw Navy fleets, ships, sea birds.. My camera clicked all its way and then after almost an hour journey an island came in view.

At Elephanta Island the ferry stopped at the end of a long pier. It doesn’t take much time to walk to the stairs leading up to the caves, but Maharashtra tourism runs a miniature train to cover this distance. We boarded this train that had cost us Rs 10 each (pretty less fare compared to the time & energy it saved.) . The train left us near the stairs that led to the Caves. Though I didn't count the number of stairs it must have been well over 100. For aged people who couldn't climb there was facility of palanquin service..wooden chair tied with two bamboo stick. We preferred to walk, on either side of the staircase were locals selling souvenirs, guidebooks, berries & fruits. As our climb was interrupted by sessions of Seeing , bargaining, purchasing presents we didn't realize the height we had climbed until we reached the top and the ferry ghat looked palm size.

The cave comprised of five rock-cut excavations of which three were rock cut temples.  Cave -1 (the main cave) ,dedicated to Lord Shiva was the main attraction and it dated to mid 7th century AD.  It consisted of a pillared hall with a small shrine & four entrance doors flanked by guardians.  While the massive but graceful figures of divinities, guardians & certain architectural features such as square pillar with cushion capitals suggested Chalukya influence, the depiction of mountains and clouds  plus hairstyle of women suggested Gupta influence in Art. The figure of Lord Shiva in central panel of the back wall signified all three parts of Lord- creator,destroyer & protector.  The carvings on the cave walls were true masterpiece and left me in awe.  We hired a guide who explained stories behind different carvings and guided us from one cave to the other.

Carvings on the cave walls

 

Caves on the Elephanta Island

We spent a great time amidst these old carvings getting awed by their beauty. It was past noon when we finished exploring each cave and started our return journey. When we reached the base of staircase we realized we were extremely hungry. All the while we were so lost in the beauty of the caves that we were not aware of the time we had spent! At the base we quenched our hunger at a restaurant & then waited in queue for the miniature train to take us back to the ferry ghat. During the return journey we sat at the lower floor of double decker ferry as the top was already full.. It was almost evening and the water sparkled as sun's rays fell over it... Everything looked so beautiful coz my heart was satisfied with a beautiful day spent in completely different way exploring the unknown !!!