The Elephanta Caves - A timeless story carved in rock

 The Elephanta Caves

The history of these caves’ dates to the fourth century as there are references to Roman traders visiting the island. Many of you must have read about these caves in school textbooks. Let me tell you what this place will offer you. Firstly, you will be stunned to see a towering three-headed figure of Lord Shiva. It is a marvel shaped out of the solid natural rock by carving.

Let me drop an info to for you . The statue may seem like a three-headed idol, but it consists of five faces. Yes, that’s right! This represents the five manifestations of Lord Shiva. When you get inside the shrine and stand in the Centre you will witness a spectacular idol of Sadashiv, a human form of Lord Shiva and on the right stands a Linga of Shankar, a suggestive form. The main cave has a square sanctum-sanctorum designed like a museum gallery.

Elephanta became common parlance after the Portuguese took over the land from the Gujarat Sultanate in 1534. and named it so after the massive rock-cut elephant statue that stood sentinel over the sea.

 

Experts believe that in the seventeenth century Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj had visited the place. The shrine is huge and vast. You would feel as if the time has slowed down while absorbing the pure and spiritual energy of this place. So, make sure you have at least two or three hours exclusive for this island.

If you truly want to elevate your experience, then you must read a reference book before embarking on the Elephanta Caves journey. The best time to visit the Elephanta caves is in the winter months i.e., between November and February. The place has no facility for visitors to make an overnight stay. You can easily make this a one-day trip starting in the morning and returning by evening. I am sure visiting Elephanta Caves will make for an unforgettable weekend experience. It’s a marvel of ancient India and make to feel back in time to those days when these epic structures where made.