The Elephanta Caves , located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, about 11 Km off the coast of the Gateway of India, Mumbai, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to these caves, excavated probably in the 6 th century CE, is awe-inspiring, and also thought-provoking. Over the years, I have visited the caves a number of times, and also attended a number of talks by experts in the fields of art, history and archaeology on the caves. Together, they help me understand these caves, their art, and the people they were created for, just a little bit better. Every new visit, every new talk, every new article I read about the caves, fleshes out the image of what the island and the caves would have been like, at their peak. I last wrote about the caves on this blog, in 2011, almost exactly 11 years ago. Since then, my understanding of the caves has, I would like to think, marginally improved. Hence this attempt to write a new and updated post, trying to bring to life, the caves of Elephan
The last two days of navaratri have been as hectic as the first……. I have tried to visit all my relatives, and return in time to be home to receive those who come to my house, and it has been a race against time, with my wishing for a few more hours each day.
However, I have some interesting kolus for you today.
The first is the one at the Marubai Gavdevi Mandir, Wadala. I have heard of this one for years from my aunt who visits it every year, and this year, I decided that I just had to visit the temple. The golu is not too huge, just 5 steps, but beautiful, with some old and wonderful dolls… Take a look…
Look at the Ganesha holding the lingam – an unusual doll…
The Dashavataram set is beautiful, with great detailing, but the Vamanavatar one is missing…..
Samhith was fascinated by the fruits and vegetables, especially the tiny ones….
Now here’s a Kolu of one of our neighbours – they are an old couple who still take the pains to make a side decoration. This is one house I take Samhith to, every year, no matter what! This year, they have made Kedarnath and Badrinath.
At the temple, the theme, being Ashtami, was Mahishasura Mardhini……. While we loved the decoration, Samhith was curious to know why the Devi wasn’t shown killing Mahishasura. He said they looked very friendly together, something which brought smiles to the faces of all those around, including the vadhyar who had made the decoration!!!!
Navami began with me performing the Saraswati Puja at home. Here is my arrangement, the photograph of Saraswati kept on top of books (which are covered by the cloth).
We then hurried to visit some more relatives, our last such trip for the year….
The first house we visited was Shankar’s uncle and aunt’s at Vashi. While they had kept a small Kolu this year, the highlight was a beautiful set of dolls depicting the Brahmotsavam at Tirupati.. …….
Here is Samhith with them….
The next stop was another uncle’s place, this time at Chembur, and here is their kolu…..
I especially love this set of dolls….
Our final visit was to another of our relatives’ place at Chembur, who keep a beautiful Kolu with some beautiful dolls…..
Here is another Kolu that I have been seeing everyday – one of our neighbours’ – and have finally photographed… all their dolls are old ones, and you can clearly see why we think they are special……
that one's Nala and Damayanti....
And finally, at the temple, the decoration was Saraswati…..
The nine days and nights of the festival are through, and so are we with our socializing. Tomorrow all the toys will be taken out and returned to their trunk, where they will hide till next year (hopefully) to emerge for another round of celebration.
The 10th day is still here, though, to be celebrated, and I shall be back with my last post on this festival…..
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