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The Elephanta Caves

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
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Drenched!!

While we sit inside the house in relative comfort, while it pours cats and dogs outside, look at this kingfisher sitting patiently in the pouring rain, apparently oblivious to the cold, even though it appears to be huddled up...



It sat still for almost half an hour, and then suddenly swooped down, caught something in its beak, and sped off towards a tree....I was left with mixed emotions - I had been feeling rather sorry for the poor bird having to sit in the rain and cold, but now I was left wondering if that was what the bird had intended - to wait patiently till its prey came along... Does it enjoy the rain or is it just a matter of necessity? I have no idea, and am not likely to find out either... What do you think?
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  1. AnonymousJuly 5, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    Oh how lovely.. to watch the rains..

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJuly 5, 2010 at 9:42 AM

    I gues that lamp post is a very popular hangout joint in the bird community...

    earlier the parakeets, now the kingfisher.. :P

    ReplyDelete
  3. MridulaJuly 5, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    They have started showing up on this side too after the rains.

    ReplyDelete
  4. chitraJuly 5, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    It is monsoon and Mumbai gets submerged by water. But the air gets fresh, all the dirt gets washed away and good you get to see to see lot of birds ....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sankara SubramanianJuly 5, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    Ah hah! Now a white breasted kingfisher comes and gives you a show. You are definitely lucky...

    I am sure that all birds are programmed to handle the rain comfortably.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aarti BadamikarJuly 5, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    lovely sight! so calm and content :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. IndraniJuly 5, 2010 at 4:23 PM

    Strange are the ways of a nature!
    Great observation.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ShilpaJuly 6, 2010 at 7:58 PM

    Nice observation!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. indicaspeciesJuly 8, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    I wish to get drenched in some rains too..and I promise not to prey on anyone..hehe!

    ReplyDelete

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