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
Earth, Water, Mountain, Clouds.... how wonderful it looks......
This was taken from the train, as we were passing over the Krishna river, while returning from Tirupati. I am off again, this time to Hampi - a heritage tour as well as a wildlife one, for I shall be staying at the Jungle Lodges and Resorts' Sloth Bear Resort. From there I will be heading over to Badami, trying to see as much of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakkal as I can, before heading over to Puttaparthi to bring in the new year...... Till then, have a wonderful time, and keep coming back, for the Tirupati posts aren't over yet!!!
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mmm..! Am I feeling a tinge of Jealousy in my heart..(lol!).. Hampi,Badami,Bear Resort- WOW, What an opportunity...and what a place to usher in the new year... How fortunate you are..! Sure, you will be busy with numerous blog posts of this visit the whole of Jan 2011..! Looking forward to them..!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time Anu..! Happy new year..!
Great shot.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Have a wonderful time Anu.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous capture! Terrific, stormy looking clouds! Sounds as though you have a wonderful place from which to welcome the new year!! And wishing you a very Happy New Year! Look forward to more of your pics in the coming year!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Have a wonderful trip Anu.
ReplyDeleteI've seen people throw money into Krishna river from moving train... crazy people
ReplyDelete@Sridharan: Thanks a lot, and wish you a wonderful year ahead... Hope to come back with lots of posts!!!
ReplyDelete@Mridula: Thanks!!!
@J Bar: Thanks a lot!
@Sylvia: Thanks... It is a great place, one we visit every year! and wish you a wonderful year too...
@Shrinidhi: we used to do it too, as kids... thankfully, we outgrew it... but Samhith heard me talk about it once, and wants to do it too.... it helps though, keeping him busy looking out for rivers!
Wonderful scene. I first thought it some where in the Konkan coast. You will need plenty of time. Hampi itself will take a lot.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sky Watch posting!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Happy SWF! Have a good weekend,
Regards, Bram
My SkyWatch on WordPress
Seen on Sky Watch Friday, Season 4, Episode 24
@PN Subramanian: thanks... I love rivers anywhere and cant resist taking photos! we spent just one day roaming around hampi and one day for Anegundi...have to go for a leisurely visit sometime when samhith's a little older
ReplyDelete@Bram: thanks a lot! wish u a happy new year and hope u had a wonderful time too!