Famous Activites in India

Elephanta Caves represent one of the most elegantly crafted caves in Maharashtra. Having been declared a World Heritage Site, the caves are an attractive tourist spot and are dedicated mainly to Hinduism. Cultural buffs can get a peek into Hinduism and Buddhism as the deity Lord Shiva is featured in many forms here along with a section of caves featuring Buddhist sculptures. The caves are far away from the hustle and bustle of the fast Mumbai life and allow a chance to relax in a peaceful environment. Enjoy the breath taking view of the Mumbai skyline across the sea from these caves as cool breeze provides you a sense of freedom. You can make the trip to the caves more interesting by trekking there, the scenery along the trek is breath taking.

The Elephanta Caves contain rock cut stone sculptures that show syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist ideas and iconography. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. Except for a few exceptions, much of the artwork is defaced and damaged. The main temple's orientation as well as the relative location of other temples are placed in a mandala pattern. The carvings narrate Hindu mythologies, with the large monolithic 20 feet (6.1 m) Trimurti Sadashiva (three-faced Shiva), Nataraja (Lord of dance) and Yogishvara (Lord of Yoga) being the most celebrated. These date them between 5th and 9th century, and attribute them to various Hindu dynasties. They are more commonly placed between 5th and 7th centuries. Most scholars consider it to have been completed by about 550 C.E.

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