Elephanta caves, situated on Gharapuri Islands 15 miles from the Gateway of India in Mumbai, dates back to 6th century A.D. It is famous for the statues of Shiva and Parvati. The most striking statue of Trimurti, Shiva in the three moods as the Creator, the Destroyer and the Preserver is a masterpiece by itself.
It was the Portuguese who named the caves The Elephanta caves after the statue of an elephant which is seen close to landing area. Many of the carved figures have been unfortunately destroyed by Portuguese iconoclast. Yet the sublime beauty of these sculptures remains intact. These caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva and consist of affluent sculptures.
These caves were carved out from a single rock. The Elephanta Caves covers an area of approximately 60000 square feet. The cave is filled with beautiful stone carvings of Hindu Gods and Goddess.
Within the cave there are columns, images and internal space. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Elephanta Caves are accessible only by boat. The boat ride not only makes the trip to the Elephanta Caves an interesting experience, but also gives you an idea of the artistic embellishments and unimaginable beauty of the statues.
