Elephanta Caves
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Overview
The Elephanta Caves on an island in Mumbai harbour are Shiva cave temples known for the three-headed Trimurti sculpture. They became a World Heritage Site in 1987.
The caves are on Elephanta (Gharapuri) island in Mumbai harbour and date to around the 5th–6th century.
The main cave holds the Maheshmurti, a three-faced Shiva about 6 m tall.
The Portuguese named the island after a stone elephant found there. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987.
There are seven caves.
Five are Hindu caves and two are Buddhist.
The caves were carved from solid rock.
They are reached by a climb of about 120 steps.
Geography and key facts
- Mumbai harbour
- Trimurti
- World Heritage Site, 1987
- Gharapuri island
- Maheshmurti
- WHS 1987
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on rock-cut art.
Note for UPSC
Cultural World Heritage Site, inscribed 1987 · Maharashtra.
UPSC asks about the state, the dynasty or period, and whether a site is cultural or natural.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Elephanta Caves yet.
Key facts
- Type
- World Heritage Site
- State / UT
- Maharashtra
- Heritage type
- Cultural
- Inscribed (UNESCO)
- 1987
- Coordinates
- 18.963°N, 72.931°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Indian Architecture and Temple Styles (map lesson)
- Performing Arts, Paintings and Heritage (map lesson)
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Nagara, Dravida and Vesara (map lesson)
- Indo-Islamic, Mughal and Colonial Architecture (map lesson)
- Mughal Culture: Architecture, Painting, Literature and Music (map lesson)
More world heritage sites nearby
Other places in Maharashtra
All world heritage sites · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs