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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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Navaratri 2010 - Day4 - A Temple Golu

I live in an area which is predominantly South Indian, and has three temples within the colony itself. Today, I am taking you along to the smallest temple - dedicated to the Goddess Mariamman (the most popular form of the goddess worshipped in the rural areas of Southern India). This temple keeps a Golu every year, and the interesting thing is that all the dolls have been donated by people. I enjoy visiting this temple during Navaratri just because I can see some old and wonderful clay dolls of Gods and Goddesses, which are infinitely more beautiful than their newer counterparts.

Here is the overall view.... there are two sets of steps which have been combined to keep all the dolls...


And here are some interesting dolls....

These are Samhith's favourites....
The houses.....


..... and this pumpkin!


I liked this Dakshinamoorthi with his disciples - the four sages.


There are two sets here... one is the marriage set and the other is a group praying to a Ganesha near a tree.


I loved these two dolls... one wearing  a six yards saree and the other wearing the traditional nine yards one...


And here is a closer look at the tree. There are idols at the base, such as a Ganesha and a lingam. There are also four statuettes of snakes, a sight commonly seen in temples in Southern India. Wish I had one of these!


Here is a new set I have not seen before. This one depicts the Lakshmi Kubera Puja. The pair at the centre are Kubera, the God of wealth and his wife Sittarini. Above is Goddess Lakshmi, pouring Gold Coins, symbolizing wealth. On the two sides are Yakshas, and in front are pots of puffed rice and coins covered with sugar candy. To read more about Kubera Lakshmi, click here. Incidentally, there is a lotus placed in front of Kubera with a golden fish on it. I have been unable to find the significance of this, except that the fish is considered auspicious and signifies the presence of Lord Vishnu in Matsya avatar. If anyone can throw any light on this, please do write in and I shall update this post with your information. 


And finally, here is the Devi herself, all decked up for the evening pujas....

A closer look at her...


Thats all for today....Lets see what tomorrow brings!
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Comments

  1. MridulaOctober 11, 2010 at 2:56 PM

    Lovely pictures all, I like the pumpkin.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BindhuOctober 11, 2010 at 2:58 PM

    This is a grand Golu! Thanks for posting this.

    (To read more about Kubera Lakshmi, click here. - This is not hyperlinked).

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anuradha ShankarOctober 11, 2010 at 6:55 PM

    @Mridula: thanks... it was so real...

    @Bindhu: thanks so much.... seem to have missed linking it... have done it now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. SoulSpaceOctober 11, 2010 at 10:53 PM

    Sooper
    was just wishing I could take my kids to see an authentic Golu, and here is one... I shall show it to them surely

    BTW where is yours in its completed version

    ReplyDelete
  5. SoulSpaceOctober 11, 2010 at 10:55 PM

    sorry I somehow missed your first post on N...

    wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  6. AshaOctober 12, 2010 at 12:51 AM

    By showcasing a golu each day, you are sparing us a temple visit. Lovedthe previous blogs. Excellent photos. will watch regularly.

    ReplyDelete
  7. IndraniOctober 12, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    Very colorful! You have started a wonderful series.

    ReplyDelete

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