ELEPHANTA CAVE TEMPLE - OUR RICH HERITAGE

ॐ नमः शिवायः

Shiva is truly ancient and beyond geography, whose worship predates time..One can gaze and gaze at the elegance of this relief.

The complex nature of their iconographic, aesthetic and ritualistic aspects considered in junction with the development of cave architecture in general are bound to arouse far greater curiosity in future.

The Trimurti Swaroop at the end of the north-south axis:The image, over five meters in height, has generated a great deal of discussion among scholars. Early scholars believed it to be the Hindu trinity representing Brahma, Visnu and Mahesa. This identification has now been set aside. Now it is argued that the faces visible are only those, which could be carved, to be seen from the front while a fourth is implied at the rear, and even a fifth, facing upwards, in accordance with the five faces of Siva described in Visnudharmottara.

The Trimurti Swaroop at the end of the north-south axis is one of the swaroop that has received considerable attention and various explanations have been given for it. The three faces may represent respectively Aghora-Bhirava(an angry form of Siva), Siva and Uma. These faces also denote the forms of power of the universal Brahman: sattva is depicted by the central face, tamas by the angry countenance, and rajas by the tranquil face at the right.

The monolith of Sadashiva at Elephanta caves. The sculpture represents three aspects of Shiva: as the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. The central head has a benign expression, eyes almost closed as if in deep meditation. The right face represents Aghora, Bhairava or Rudra, the "destroyer" aspects of Shiva.

It is awe inspiring, carved into a deep recess the image projects forward, benefiting from a little light provided by the entrance opposite. With a curled moustache, bearded, hooked nose and somewhat gruesome appearance. The left head (right as viewed) is Vamadeva, the preserver of the universe with a peaceful demeanor, eyes closed, also in a trance like state. Each face has it's own expression, jwellery and headdress. Flanking this are guardians panel depicting ArdhaNarishwara and GangaDhara, each with a dwarf attendant.

The elephanta caves are widely believed to have been carved during the reign of an early Kalacuri king (third quarter of 6th century), who ruled the Konkan area. The Early Kalacuris were the followers of the Lakulisa-Pasupata sect of Saivism. 

These 6th century carvings at here are considered to be of the highest quality. "It is incredible ancient architecture featured inside this cave system located on Elephanta Island or Gharapuri “city of caves.”

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Elephanta Caves consists of 7 rock-cut caves on Elephanta Island, just outside Mumbai Harbour.

The island is known as Elephanta due to a huge rock-cut elephant that used to stand on the southern shore of the island.

The Elephanta Caves, 1855.

The British tried to move the colossal carving in 1864, but it immediately broke into pieces and they abandoned their attempts.

It was subsequently taken to Mumbai and reconstructed in 1914, and today you can be seen at jijamata udyaan (formally Victoria Gardens or Rani-cha Baug).

British even held a dinner party in the elephanta caves, despite the fact that it was a temple and puneri pagadis serving them. ( Dinner here means with meat and drinks )

Map of Elephanta island

Carved into basalt bluffs on an island in the Sea of Oman, the Elephanta Caves date back to the 5th century.

Elephanta Rock Temple, Plan in Fergusson, James, and James Burgess. The Cave Temples of India. London: 1880.

It contain pillared halls, bas-reliefs, stupas, sanctuaries, and a 23-foot-high sculpture of Shiva.

Main cave (Cave No.1) - Front elevation, plan and section Elephanta, rock-cut cave

The 7 caves at Elephanta are split into two clusters; caves 1–5 on the western hill, and the lesser visited caves 6-7 on the eastern hill, which is also known as Stupa Hill, named after a 2nd century Buddhist stupas that crowns the summit

Although damaged heavily by time and vandalism by Portuguese Invaders, who used these masterpieces for target practice with Cannons.

Really heart breaking.. what kind of religion teaches to destroy beauty!!

Entrance at Elephanta in Fergusson, James, and James Burgess. The Cave Temples of India. London: 1880.

Cave No.8 - Facade, general view Elephanta, rock-cut cave

Cave 4 - Porch, right end chamber and a cell Elephanta, rock-cut cave

Main cave (Cave No.1) - Entrace with dvarapala, pillars in hall.

It’s hard not to enter Cave 1 and immediately head for the colossal carving in front of you, it is utterly spectacular. Carved on the back wall, exactly opposite the main entrance, is a three-headed bust of Shiva, identified as Mahesa, Mahadeva, or Sadasiva. Often thought as representing the Trimurti, it is colossal.

Dvarapalas, or guardian statues, guarding the Linga Shrine in the main cave

The central Shiva shrine is square with doors on all four sides. Each entrance has a flight steps, guarded by amazing 4.5m tall colossal guardians (dvrapalas).

Main cave (Cave No.1) - Portico, north wall, Mahayogisvara Swaroop at Elephanta, rock-cut cave The great Yogisvara image on the left of the north entrance (to the caves) that occupies an important place in the sculptural program of Elephanta is indicative of the yogic practices which must have once gone hand in hand with the complex ritualistic exercises undertaken inside the cave by the Lauklisa-Pasupata devotee. Lakuslia was the founder teacher of this sect who eventually attained to the Sivahood (salvation).

Cave 3 - Porch, shrine doorway, sculptured frieze Elephanta, rock-cut cave

Pilar on a cave in Elephanta in Fergusson, James, and James Burgess. The Cave Temples of India. London: 1880

Main cave (Cave No.1) - Linga in the sanctum, detail Elephanta, rock-cut cave

Jyotirlingas are the shrines where Bhagwan Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam. The word ‘Jyoti’ means light and ‘linga’ means sign Jyotirlinga is the light of God Shiva.

Main cave (Cave No.1) - Linga shrine, east wall, doorway Elephanta, rock-cut cave

God Shiva is considered as saakar i.e having form & also at the same time nirakar i.e formless. God Shiva in sakar form is the one which we see in most of his images while in nirakar form he is considered to be in linga swarup. Shivlinga signifies source of creation and productiveness.

Kalyanasundara Swaroop

The divine kanyadana / Marriage of Shiva [and Parvati]

Bhagwan Śiva and Devi Pārvati stand in Tri-Bhanga posture. Siva is shown with four hands, but both the left hands are broken; of the right hands, the front one is held in Abhaya Mudra. Bhagwan Shiva wears the typical Jata-Mukuta and Hara (necklace); the Keyura (armlet) is a snake which is clearly seen near the left hand and an elongated Yajnopavita (sacred thread). Devi Pārvati too is standing in Tribhanga posture, wears adequate jewellery, and her hair is combed in a coiled knot of the Dhammila variety on the top of the head. On her left, near the shoulder is Bhagwan Vishnu on Garuda holding Gada and Chakra; and correspondingly on the other side near Siva's right hand, Bhagwan Brahma is shown on Hansa. Between Shiva and Parvati is one of the Ganas of Siva. Above Siva's head, the three headed figure is certainly Devi Ganga. Flanking her are shown flying Gandharvas and Apsaras.

Gangadhara Shiva with Goddess Ganga emanating out of his head and a visibly petulant Goddess Parvati leaning away in disapproval. Other gods and goddesses look on. Bhagwan Shiva made Ganga to flow through his matted locks for a long time. She then starts flowing in three streams and hence is known as Tri-Pathaga. The three heads of the river have been identified as Ganga moving through the three worlds viz. Mandakini, Bhagirathi, and Bhogavati.

And seeing the state of this cave reming me of that our 40000+ temples were not destroyed in one go, overnight, they were destroyed one after another, over a period of 1000yrs. meaning, while one was being destroyed, pujaris were doing bell bajana, bhajan, aarti in remaining 39,999 temples, something seriously wrong in what we associate.

Until we do not pin point that which went wrong with our understanding of Sanatana Dharma bhakti, Reclaiming temples or temple hopping won't make any difference to the existential challenge we all are facing.