Elephanta Island Things to Do

Cave No.3


This cave is south to Cave No.2 and with eight columns visible at the entrance. These pillar are really in good condition apart from it sculptures of door-keepers of shrine are damaged to some extent. A little further to the south there is cave No 3. in even worse condition, damaged by stagnant water. Pillars in the front of rooms have been preserved, sculptures of door-keepers of shrine are partly preserved.

Cave No. 2

Cave No 2. is located to the south-east from the Great Cave. It is facing east, with a Shrine in its northern end.
This cave got four pillars and is extensively damaged. All these damages happens during rainy season due to accumulation of water.Few traces of sculptures are remaining and artwork is almost nil.

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Main Cave Shiva Lingam


This Shiva Lingam found in Main cave and it has got two openings or door. And these shrine guarded by keepers of this temple they are not real its their statues. We can see fresh flowers on Shiva Lingam and which means some people are doing Pooja at this temple everyday. And there gate keepers's sculptures are broken at places.

Wedding of Shiva--Elephanta Island

After the death of Lord Shiva's first wife " Sati " she born again as " Parvati" and their marriage might have been grand function. As we can see in sculpture all other gods are attending their marriage and Parvati standing on the right side of Lord Shiva as per Hindu marriage tradition and led by her father on the right.Parvati is well dressed and adorned with lot of jewelleries and her both hands on sculptures are damagaed but its assumed that her left hand hold by Shiva. Brahma is sitting as the priest for the marriage. Vishnu is witness to the marriage.

Yogishvara Shiva--Elephanta Island

Lord shiva sitting in Yogic position called Yogisvara its like buddha. Shiva is seated in padmasana yogic posture. Its simple story where lord Shiva's first wife dies and Shiva moves to Mt. Kailash and later his first wife reborn as Parvati.. Other Gods around him.

Shiva slaying Andhaka--Elephanta Island

Shiva slaying demon called " Andhaka " and andhaka means " Blind one " and its believed that he was son of lord Shiva but was born blind. And Shiva gave his son to another demon to raise him and ultimately he raised same as demon.

And he once he tries to woo Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife which was actually his mother..So here " Andhaka " might not meant for blind but may refers to inability to differentiate between right and wrong. And finally Lord Shiva kills him and on sculpture we can see Andhaka submitting under Shiva’s feet

Gangadhara Shiva--Elephanta Island

There is a story behind this Sculpture too. Why Ganga (River Ganga) got entangled to Lord shiva's Hair ( Jata )..Its believed in Hindu religion that if ash's of a persons dead body put in to Ganga river then all his sins will be dissolved and person will get " Moksha " i.e ticket for heaven.

There was a king name " Bhagirat "his ancestors were burned down due to some curse. To remove this curse he wanted to bring the river Ganges to earth. But it was not easy as he had to get approval from Boss of god i.e " Indra " and River Ganga itself..Bhagirata performed very severe austerities and finally got approval but that was not easy. Ganga goddess agreed his request but warned that earth would not withstand the force with which she would descend.

And Bhagirat performed severe austerities to pleasing Lord Shiva. Lord shiva agreed to catch ganga in his hair to reduce its force to reduce her force before descending on earth.

On this sculpture we can she Bhagirat kneeling( Pleasing ) Lord shiva.

Ravana lifting Kailash Mountain

There are two stories behind this sculpture.

1)------>>>> Once Demon Ravana after defeating his own brother Kubera was overflying Mt.Kailash and Nandi ( Bull--Keeper of Lord Shiva ) asked Ravana to move away from Mt.Kailash and not to disturb boss Shiva and Parvati.Ravana did not listen to Nandi and tried to shake Mt.Kailash. This frightened Parvati wife of Lord shiva but Lord shiva did not loose his cool and pinned down Mt.Kailash with just his toes. Ultimately Ravana asked for mercy and Shiva released him and Ravana became a great devotee of Shiva.

Other version is Ravana's mother was great devotee of Lord Shiva and wanted to go to pilgrimage to Mt.Kailash instead her son Ravana thought of bringing Mt.Kailash to his mother and attempted to life in vain.