Mythical Themes at Elephanta
The choice of the themes in Elephanta's panels is an interesting mix... anything from love to contemplation to violence to performing arts to yoga. In Elephanta you'll see some of the highest watermarks of medieval India's sculptural art.
Ardhanari image at Elephanta
Ardhanari image at Elephanta
A
part from the cave architecture of medieval India, a major highlight of the Elephanta tour is the massive rock cut sculptures. Elephanta's sculptural art is executed on the walls of the caves as expansive panels, mostly associated with mythology associated with Lord Shiva.The followings are from the Main Cave (Cave 1) of Elephanta.
Slaying of Andhakasura : Depicting Shiva slaying a demon called Andhaka. One of the most animated panels in Elephanta. Shiva is represented with eight arms in this panel.
Kalyana Sundara : The more humanly theme of marriage depicted in this panel. Arguably, Parvathi is portrayed superbly than Shiva in this panel, with her her head slightly tilted towards him with a hint of coyness.
Shiva-Parvathi : One of the highly damaged panels in Elephanta. This depicts Shiva and Parvathi engaged in a game of dice. The divine couple tries to cheat each other in the game as much as possible, though Shiva loses in all the games. Shiva loses everything, the trident,moon, earrings, snake and even the loincloth. The mythology is associated with a complex philosophy.
Nataraja : Nataraja, literally translate as the king/lord of dance. In mythology Shiva is considered as the cosmic dancer, who performs his divine dance to destroy the weary universe.
Ravana Shaking Kailasa : Ravana, unsuccessfully tries to lift Kailash, the adobe of Shiva. There are popular mythical stories associated with the Demon king Ravana, the lord of Lanka and Lord Shiva.
Mahayogi Shiva : A rare posture of Shiva meditating on a lotus. Considered as the aadiyogi ( or the first guru of Yoga) by the Yoga tradition, Shiva is depicted as the original master of yoga.
Gangadhara: The story depicting Shiva bringing River Ganga to earth. The fall of the river is so powerful that Shiva has to make it fall on his matted hair first, before it further descends.
Mahesh Murthy : The three headed iconic image representing three aspects of Shiva. The masterpiece image of Elephanta. It's debatable to find a more spectacular sculptural expression created during or after the medieval period in India.
Ardhanarishvara : Probably the most mystical theme to narrate. Shiva and Parvathi as a single body, depicting the complex philosophical theme of male-female energy of the universe.
Marriage of Shiva and Parvati at Elephanta Cave 1
Marriage of Shiva and Parvati at Elephanta Cave 1
Shiva-Parvati playing the game of dice. Panel from Elephanta's main cave
Shiva-Parvati playing the game of dice. Panel from Elephanta's main cave
Elephanta
Note the calmness in contrast with the rest of the elements in this panel
Ravana , the demon king of Lanka tries to lift Kailasa, the abode of Shiva. Seated beside Shiva is Parvati, his consort.
Ravana , the demon king of Lanka tries to lift Kailasa, the abode of Shiva. Seated beside Shiva is Parvati, his consort.
This rare posture of Shiva depicts Shiva as the master of yogic tradition.
This rare posture of Shiva depicts Shiva as the master of yogic tradition.
Shiva and Parvati are portrayed standing in the classic tribhanga (triple flexed) posture. The Shiva image is about 5 meters tall
Shiva and Parvati are portrayed standing in the classic tribhanga (triple flexed) posture. The Shiva image is about 5 meters tall
The star attraction of Elephanta Cave temple is the iconic image of the three headed Shiva called Mahesh , the great Lord.
Mahesh Murthi in Elephanta Cave 1
Shiva-Parvati in Ardhanari form
Shiva-Parvati in Ardhanari form
The main carved panel in Cave 1 at Elephanta
The main carved panel in Cave 1 at Elephanta
Marriage of Shiva and Parvati at Elephanta Cave 1
Shiva-Parvati playing the game of dice. Panel from Elephanta's main cave
Elephanta
Nataraja in Cave 1
Note the calmness in contrast with the rest of the elements in this panel
Ravana , the demon king of Lanka tries to lift Kailasa, the abode of Shiva. Seated beside Shiva is Parvati, his consort.
This rare posture of Shiva depicts Shiva as the master of yogic tradition.
Shiva and Parvati are portrayed standing in the classic tribhanga (triple flexed) posture. The Shiva image is about 5 meters tall
The star attraction of Elephanta Cave temple is the iconic image of the three headed Shiva called Mahesh , the great Lord.
Shiva-Parvati in Ardhanari form