This is the beginning of the gentle climb up to the Elephanta Caves. Because of the shops on either side and their awnings there is shade all along.
The cave temple, which is the pride of Elephanta, sprawled over an area of approximately 5000 square metres, is reached by climbing a flight of more than 100 steps, to the top of a hill. Inside the temple, is a large pillared hall with rows of columns, that appear to hold up the roof of the cave.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Toy train
Monday, April 14, 2008
Crossover
After having reached the pier, to alight from the boat and set foot on land to go to the Elephanta Caves, we had to crossover through another boat..
Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. These rockcut temples were created by carving out rock, and creating the columns, the internal spaces and the images. The entire temple is akin to a huge sculpture, through whose corridors and chambers one can walk. The entire complex was created through a process of rock removal. Some of the rock surfaces are highly finished while some are untreated bare rock.
Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. These rockcut temples were created by carving out rock, and creating the columns, the internal spaces and the images. The entire temple is akin to a huge sculpture, through whose corridors and chambers one can walk. The entire complex was created through a process of rock removal. Some of the rock surfaces are highly finished while some are untreated bare rock.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The pier
A crowded pier at Elephanta. Elephanta Island was known in ancient times as "Gharapuri" or The Place of Caves. The Portuguese took possession of the island and named it Elephanta after the great statue of an elephant which they found on the seashore. At present, the statue of the elephant is housed at Jijamata Garden in Mumbai.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Elephanta Ahoy!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Boats
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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