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The Elephanta Caves are the focal point of the Elephanta Island, located in the Mumbai harbour off the coast of Mumbai (Bombay), India. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[1]

It is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists. In recent years, complaints have been made that visitors mistreat this important cultural and historic site.^[2][3] The caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings of the 9th through 13th centuries (810–1260).^{[citation needed]} Some of the sculptures of this site are also attributed to the imperial Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (in present day Karnataka), the Trimurti of Elephanta showing the three faces of Shiva almost akin to the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswar embodied as one being one among them. This was also the royal insignia of the Rashtrakutas.

What makes this Trimurti unusual is that it represents the three faces of Mahesh or Shiva. One shows him as a young person with sensuous lips, embodying life and its vitality. In his hand he holds something that resembles a rose bud -- again with the promise of life and creativity. It is this face that is closest to that of Brahma, the creator. The other face on the side is that of a young man. It is moustacioed, and displays anger. This is Shiva as Rudra, as the one whose anger can engulf the entire world in flames leaving only ashes behind. This is Shiva the Destroyer. And there is the central face, benign, meditative, as the preserver. This is Shiva as the yogi -- Yogeshwar -- in deep meditation praying for the 'preservation' of humanity. This is Shiva in all the three manifestations of what is conventionally seen as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Other Rashtrakuta sculptures here are the reliefs of Nataraja and Sadashiva and the splendid sculptures of Ardhanarishvara. About the Trimurti, historian Grousset points out, "The three countenances of the One Being are here harmonized without a trace of effort. There are few material representations of the divine principle at once as powerful and as well balanced as this in the art of the whole world".^{[citation needed]}

The site of these magnificent caves contained beautiful reliefs, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu god Śiva. The caves are hewn from solid rock.^[4]

The great hall: Cave 1	Outside the cave	Entrance

The rock-cut temple complex cover an area of 60,000 sq ft consisting of a main chamber, 2 lateral ones, courtyards and subsidiary shrines. The temple complex is said to be the abode of Shiva. The most important sculpture is that of Trimurti Sadasica, carved in relief at the end of the N-S axis. The imag, 20 ft in high is if the three headed-Shica, representing Panchamukha Shiva.

Duffer's Guide to Elephanta, Mid-Day, Tinaz Nooshan, Feb 22, 2007, pg A14

1. ^ Elephanta Caves. World Heritage Site. Retrieved on October 14, 2006.
2. ^ Save the Caves. south-asian.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2006.
3. ^ Elephanta Caves. Bolography. Retrieved on October 14, 2006.
4. ^ Elephanta Caves. Mumbai Net. Retrieved on October 14, 2006.

• Caves of Lord Shiva-Elephnta
• Information on the caves
• Description of Rashtrakutas architecture in the caves
• TempleNet - Elephanta Caves
• Elephanta Cave temple plan
• North enterance temple plan
• Elephanta Caves travel guide from Wikitravel

World Heritage Sites in India

Agra Fort | Ajanta Caves | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Churches and Convents of Goa | Elephanta Caves | Ellora Caves | Fatehpur Sikri | Great Living Chola Temples | Hampi | Humayun's Tomb | Kaziranga | Keoladeo | Khajuraho | Mahabalipuram | Mahabodhi Temple | Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Mountain Railways of India | Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers | Pattadakal | Qutub Minar | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka | Sanchi | Sun Temple, Konarak | Sundarbans | Taj Mahal