 |
Nine
nautical miles across the sea from the Gateway of India lies Elephanta Caves,
also known as 'Gharapuri'. Visit this green island for the wonders of the 7th
century, the pains taking.17 hewnrock-cut cave temple, dedicated to Shiva. The
Maheshmurti panel, in which Shiva is known as a creator protector and destroyer,
is a sight that should been joyed at least once in a lifetime.
excursions to Elephanta start every day from the Gateway of India. Though the
ascent to reachthe cave is difficult to climb, ‘doli’ is always ready to pick
up you. Launch service is also there from Alibag and Uran of Raigad district.
 |
This cave temple is
open from three sides, so light enters through different angles. In the play
ofentering light and shade we feel that all stone-statues are alive and
moving light comes from many directions and corners and changes at every moment.
This is the main attraction of noteworthy experience here. In the cave temple
there is roomy auditorium. Rows of pillars are in the auditorium. There are
nine carved pictures on the wall. All the pillars must have been made simple so
that the carved pictures can attract tourists’ attention. The caves are
now designated as a World Heritage Site and visited by hundreds of tourists
both for their art, historical and science value.
The Portuguese renamed thisisland Elephenta after a large stone elephant
found near the shore. (theElephenta sculpture collapsed in 1814, when the
British relocated it to theVictoria Gardens now Mumbai’s zoo, where it still
stands.) Once a year the MIDCarranges a two-day Festival of dance and music
here. The Elephanta caves are agreat tourist attraction in the vicinity of the
large Mumbai meteropolis.
 |
The Elephenta island islocated 10 kms away from the Gateway of India at
Mumbai. This rock cut templewas created by carving out rock, and creating the
columns, the internal spacesand the images. The entire Temple is akin to a huge
sculpture. The entirecomplex was created through a process of rock removal. The
entire cave templecomplex covers an area of about 60000 square feet and it
consists of a mainchamber and two lateral ones, courtyards and several
subsidiary shrines. Thecolossal 20 feet high image of three headed Shiva,
Trimurthy is a magnificent one,considered to be a masterpiece of indian art. It
has stood there for more thana thousand years.
.jpg) |
Getting there :
By
Air:
Nearest airport is Mumbai 20 kms. Up to Gateway and 9nautical miles across the
sea.
By Rail:Nearest railheads are Chhatrapati Shiviaji Terminus (C. S. T)and
Churchgate.
From
Mumbai approach to the island is by boat . Luxuryand ordinary launches as well
as catamarans leave for Elephanta from Apollo atthe Gateway of India. Boats
usually start every half-hour from 9 am to 2 pmfrom Apollo and between 1 pm and
5 pm from Elephanta Island. Tickets are soldat booths near the Gateway of India
and the MIDC offers daily tours to theisland. During the monsoons the ordinary
boat services are usually suspended.
No comments:
Post a Comment