Gharapuri in ancient times, and the Trimurti in Cave 1: the Elephanta Caves off Mumbai

Background

Maharashtra Tourism places the Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island, about 10 kilometres off the coast of Mumbai, reached by ferry from the city, with views of the Arabian Sea and the Mumbai skyline. The island was known as Gharapuri in ancient times. The caves were carved during the period of the Gupta dynasty and are believed to have been built between the 5th and 8th centuries, as places of worship for Hindu deities, mainly Lord Shiva. They are rock-cut temples carved into the basalt hills of the island, and the department divides them into two groups, the Hindu caves and the Buddhist caves. The centrepiece is Cave 1, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which holds the colossal Trimurti sculpture showing Shiva in three forms, as Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. The Hindu caves draw on Shaivism, while the Buddhist caves are simpler, with stupas and meditation chambers. The department records the site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.