this describe the history about the elephanta caves

1. Elephanta Caves
Submitted by:
Subash Pathak
18BCE1211
Submitted To:
Ar. Geetanjali Kapoor
Associate Professor

2. Table of Content
S.N Tittle
1 INTRODUCTION
2 CRITERIA
3 ABOUT ENTRANCE
4 WHO IS SHIVA?
5 TRIMURTI
6 STATUES OF SHIVA
7 INTEGRITY
8 DESTRUCTION
9 PRESERVATION
10 MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
11 STAKEHOLDERS
12 WORK TO BE DONE
13 ASSISTANCE
14 CONCLUSION
15 REFRENCE

3. Introduction
 Inscripted in UNESCO
in 1987 (11th session)
 Elephanta caves are
located in Western India
on Elephanta Island also
known as Island of
Gharapuri
Approximately 10 km
west of mumbai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s8uB4Rlooc&feature=emb_logo

4. Introduction
 The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were
constructed about the mid-5th to 6th
centuries AD.
 The cave temple was excavated in 8th
century by the rashtrakuta king who
ruled the area between A.D 757-973.
 it is a conglomeration of seven caves,
out of which Mahesa-murti cave is the
most important one.
 There are seven caves cut from one
rock, just one survived the destruction.
Google map
location of island

5. Excavated caves at Gharapuri Rock cut elephanta caves
Introduction

6.  These caves where the
worship place for
hindus where once
chanting, prayers and
offering took places
regularly
Elephanta caves

7. • Criteria (i)
- to represent a masterpiece of human creative
genius;
• Criteria (iii)
- to bear a unique or at least exceptional
testimony to a cultural tradition or to a
civilization which is living or which has
disappeared
Criteria

8. Entrance
These caves are protected by the two statue of the guardian gods at the
entrance and the Linga statue representing the infinite energy of the shiva
at the back.

9. Who is shiva?
 Shiva is the god of both creation and destruction.
Trimurti

10. Trimurti
 This is considered to be the masterpiece of Gupta
Chalukyan art
 The 5.5m sculpture represents three aspects of Shiva:
Left face: feminine side, holding lotus with light smile on face shows
his caring nature, called ‘Vamadeva’ resembling Brahma.
 Centre face : engrossed in meditation is enlightened, this aspect of
yogi and engrossed into his thoughts to betterment of universe is
called ‘Tatpurusha’ resembling Vishnu
Right face: masculine face holding snake in his hands depicts him
filled in rage. This form of his is known as ‘rudra’ and is believed
that his anger can turn the world into frames with his third eye.

11. Statues of Shiva
Shiva as Nataraja
Natatraj comes from sanskrit word
which means Lord of dancer or king of
actors.
This dance of his is known as
‘Tandava’ categorized into from forms
‘Ananda Tandava’ and ‘Rudra
Tandava’.
 Upper right hand: Damaru
 Upper left hand: Agni
Lower right hand: Abhaya Hasta,
where Cobra is coiled on his hand
Lower left hand: Points downward
towards the demon Apasmara on which
he dances

12. Statues of Shiva
Shiva slaying Andhaka
Shiva as ‘Bhairava’ avatar
representing frightful
Wearing crescent and cobra to high
right and necklace around his neck, he
seems to be marching in fury
 right hand carry sword,
Left hand carrying andhaka’s body
after slaying him whose structure is
broken
 other left hand carries a bowl to
collect dripping blood with cobra
coiled up around his hand

13. Statues of Shiva
Shiv-Parvati on kailash
Shivparbati on mount kailesh
are playing dice.
Shiva is wearing crown, a
‘janeu’ and is dressed upto his
knee
Parvati is in fine accessories
with her hair falling in front.
Upset with lord shiva as she
discover shiva has been
cheating.
Between lord and her, a
women is holding a child
identified as kartikeya.

14. Statues of Shiva
This statue shows the panel
depicting the wedding of shiva and
parvati

15. Statue
Killing ravana’s ego with his toe
Yogishwara

16. Gangadhara- bringing ganga
down from his matted hair
Ardhanarishvara

17. Integrity
All archaeological component are preseved in
their natural setting
Further scope to reveal archaeological material
and information by exposing the buried stupas.
Currently, saline activity and general
deterioration of rock surface are affecting
caves.

18. Destruction
• reasons:
1. waterlogging and rain
2. blame on portuguese who wanted to reduce hindu
influence during their rule
3. Soldier practised target

19. Preservation
The caves are preserved in the form of monolithic
temples, sarvatobhadra garbhgriha (sanctum),
mandapa (courtyard), rock-cut architecture, and
sculptures.
Construction of pathways,
Conservation of fallen and broken pillars,
Conservation of fallen and collapsed facades,
Construction of flight of steps leading to the caves
from island’s jetty,
Repair to the Custodian’s Quarters, and setting up
of a Site Information Centre.

20. Management and Protection
 Protected primarily by Archaeological survey of india with
assistance of other department such as Forest Department, Tourism
Department, MMRDA, Urban Development Department,Town
Planning Department, and the Gram panchayat of the Government
of Maharashtra all acting under various legislations of respective
department such as :
 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act
(1958) and Rules (1959);
 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains
(Amendment and Validation) Act (2010);
 Indian Forest Act (1927), Forest Conservation Act (1980);
 Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships
Act, Maharashtra (1965);
 Regional and Town Planning Act, Maharashtra (1966).

21. Stakeholders
Forest Department,
Tourism Department,
MMRDA(Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Development Authority)
Urban Development Department,
Town Planning Department,
Gram panchayat of the Government of
Maharashtra

22. Work to be done
The restoration of some of the pillars that was
carried out in 1960s needs to be dismantled
and redone as cracks have developed.
Additional resources (technical specialist
advice) and funding are required to conserve
this site and protect the archaeology.

23. Assistance
ID Approved date tittle
945 16 june 1998 Technical Co-operation for enhanced management
of the Elephanta Caves
http://whc.unesco.org/en/intassistance/945
946 09 June 1998 On-site promotion for Elephanta Caves
http://whc.unesco.org/en/intassistance/946
915 12 February
1998
Site management workshop in Elephanta Caves
http://whc.unesco.org/en/intassistance/915
656 13 May 1994 Maintenance work and new plaque for Elephanta
caves in Bombay
http://whc.unesco.org/en/intassistance/656

24. Conclusion
 Elephanta cave s shows the religious believe and the
temple are dedicated to lord shiva.
 these caves shows both natural, history as well as
religious believe and are one of the important site for
hindu communities.
 But, the destruction of various statues and deterioration
of part in caves shows the needs of conservation
required.

25. Refrence
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanta_Caves
https://asimustsee.nic.in/elephanta-caves.php
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/244/
https://www.rajasthantourplanner.com/unesco-world-
heritage/UNESCO-world-heritage-site-elephanta-
caves.html

26. Thank you!!