Elephanta Caves ~ Tara Shetty One of the many heritage sites near Mumbai is Elephanta Island. To get there, take a ferry from the Gateway of India. Along the way, there are the many fishing boats, cruise liners, and naval ships to admire. Butcher Island with its oil refinery is one of the sights that will greet you during the one-hour boat ride. A long pier will take you to the main island. You can board a tiny-train to reach it. The island was called Gharapuri before getting its current name. When the Portuguese landed here in the 7th century AD, they found a stone elephant on the island and so they named the island -- Elephanta. The stone elephant is now in the Victoria Albert Museum in London. The main attraction on this island is the cave temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. The 120 steps that lead to the temple have shops selling handcrafted articles. Among other things, you can buy intricately carved stone articles as souvenirs. By the time your shopping spree is over, you reach the top of the steps. From here you get your first glimpse of the cave temple. This 1400 year old Shiva temple is literally carved into a mountainside. The main hall has 36 ornamental pillars. The hall has a sanctum sanctorum (the main place of worship) which houses a Shiva Ling. The hall also has 9 panels, each depicting an avatar (incarnation) of the Hindu god, Shiva. The panels depict Shiva as: Natraja (dancing Shiva), Yogeshwara (Shiva meditating on a lotus), Gangadhar (depicts the Ganges flowing from Shiva’s head), Andhaka Survadha Moorti (depicting Shiva as the destroyer of all evil), Kalyan Sunder (depicting Shiva and Parvati’s marriage), Raavan Anugrah Moorti (Shiva is blessing Raavan, who symbolizes the evil forces in Hindu mythology), Ardha Nareshwar (symbolizing the concept of a husband and wife being two bodies and one soul), Shiva and Parvati playing dice on Kailash Mountain (suggesting that winning and losing are a part of life) and Trimurti (a magnificent sculpture, depicting Shiva as creator, preserver, and destroyer). There is also an ancient water tank which was probably one of the first rain-harvesting projects. It was built to collect water during the monsoon. This water was used for temple activities throughout the year. There is another hall which also houses a sanctum sanctorum called the Pradakshina. It is believed that if you circumambulate it three times, your wishes are granted. This hall has a long, vertical panel called Ashtramatrika (eight mothers). In Hindu mythology, it is believed that the main source of the power and energy of the gods is their mothers. Two other panels flank this -- one depicts Shiva's elder son Kartikeyi, and the other his younger son, Ganesha (the elephant god). The cave temple is a study of Indian history and Hindu mythology. Tourists are wonderstruck when they find out that this hand-made temple is carved out of one big stone. Once you have completed the temple tour, you can walk around and take in the breathtaking beauty of the island. Photography is allowed, both inside and outside the temple. Click away for some great pictures. And all that walking would build up an appetite, so tuck into authentic food at one of the many restaurants on the island. (You can book a tour through the India Tourism office, which includes pick-up/drop from your hotel. You could also hire a local guide on the island itself, or go it alone.) - Ferry from the Gateway of India - 120 INR. - Tiny Train ride - 8 INR. - Entry fee to cave - 250 INR. (Information updated on Nov 29, 2007. 1 US Dollar is approx = 40 INR) For more information contact: India Tourism Office, 123, M. Karve Road, Opp. Churchgate Station, Mumbai - 400020. Tel: 022 - 22033144, 22033145, 22074333, 22074334 Fax: 022 - 22014496 E-mail: indiatourism@vsnl.com