D'source Design Gallery on Elephanta Caves 1

Design Gallery

Elephanta Caves 1

Rock-cut architecture

Northside gate to Cave 1 of the Elephanta caves (the great cave).
Sculpture of Shiva as Yogisvara - The Lord of Yoga. Shiva is shown seated in Padmasana yogic posture penancing after the death of his first wife Sati. The figure of Shiva is surrounded by divinities from above and attendants from below.
Sculpture of Shiva as Nataraja - The Lord of Dance, performing Tandava (cosmic dance).
Dwarpalas on the South side of Shiva Lingam in the main cave.
Dwarpalas on the North side of Shiva Lingam in the main cave.
Panel depicting the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, also known as Kalyanasundara, in the presence of divinities and attendants.
Sculpture of Shiva in the form of Bhairava (frightful form of Shiva) killing the demon Andhaka.
Sculpture of Shiva as Gangadhara depicting the descent of river Ganga.
Sculpture of Shiva as Trimurti, the three heads represent the three features of Shiva- Creation, Protection and Destruction.
Sculpture of Shiva as Ardhanarishvara- a half-man half-woman representation of Shiva.
Sculptures carved on the space between the panels.
Panel showing demon king Ravana lifting Mount Kailasha with Shiva on top.

Northside gate to Cave 1 of the Elephanta caves (the great cave).	Sculpture of Shiva as Yogisvara - The Lord of Yoga. Shiva is shown seated in Padmasana yogic posture penancing after the death of his first wife Sati. The figure of Shiva is surrounded by divinities from above and attendants from below.	Sculpture of Shiva as Nataraja - The Lord of Dance, performing Tandava (cosmic dance).	Dwarpalas on the South side of Shiva Lingam in the main cave.	Dwarpalas on the North side of Shiva Lingam in the main cave.	Panel depicting the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, also known as Kalyanasundara, in the presence of divinities and attendants.
Sculpture of Shiva in the form of Bhairava (frightful form of Shiva) killing the demon Andhaka.	Sculpture of Shiva as Gangadhara depicting the descent of river Ganga.	Sculpture of Shiva as Trimurti, the three heads represent the three features of Shiva- Creation, Protection and Destruction.	Sculpture of Shiva as Ardhanarishvara- a half-man half-woman representation of Shiva.	Sculptures carved on the space between the panels.	Panel showing demon king Ravana lifting Mount Kailasha with Shiva on top.

Elephanta Caves are situated on Elephanta Island, locally known as Gharapuri - the city of caves. The caves contain sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva and Buddha. These rock-cut sculptures are estimated to be carved between 5th to 8th centuries and the identity of builders is still disputed. In 1987 UNESCO recognized the place as a World Heritage Site and said that - “the caves represent a masterpiece of human creative genius” and “bear a testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared.”

Elephanta Caves are divided into two groups - one larger group with 5 caves all of which are dedicated to Shaiva sect and the other one is the smaller group dedicated to Buddha. The rocks are made of solid basalt. They were painted in past but only traces of paint are left now. Prayers were performed here in ancient times and even today people gather to pray to Shiva on Mahashivratri.

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Northside gate to Cave 1 of the Elephanta caves (the great cave).

Sculpture of Shiva as Yogisvara - The Lord of Yoga. Shiva is shown seated in Padmasana yogic posture penancing after the death of his first wife Sati. The figure of Shiva is surrounded by divinities from above and attendants from below.

Sculpture of Shiva as Nataraja - The Lord of Dance, performing Tandava (cosmic dance).

Dwarpalas on the South side of Shiva Lingam in the main cave.

Dwarpalas on the North side of Shiva Lingam in the main cave.

Panel depicting the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, also known as Kalyanasundara, in the presence of divinities and attendants.

Sculpture of Shiva in the form of Bhairava (frightful form of Shiva) killing the demon Andhaka.

Sculpture of Shiva as Gangadhara depicting the descent of river Ganga.

Sculpture of Shiva as Trimurti, the three heads represent the three features of Shiva- Creation, Protection and Destruction.

Sculpture of Shiva as Ardhanarishvara- a half-man half-woman representation of Shiva.

Sculptures carved on the space between the panels.

Panel showing demon king Ravana lifting Mount Kailasha with Shiva on top.

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Elephanta Caves 1