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 World Heritage Site of Pattadakal deserves more than just a cursory glance. There is so much to see and appreciate, and even during our short visit to the place, I clicked so many photos that I found it impossible to put all of them together in one post! Here are my first two posts on the temple complex at Pattadakal -
Continuing with our walk through the temple complex, we next arrived at the Chandrashekhara Temple. The plain and simple structure is the one which attracts least number of visitors, and consequently, is empty and easy to photograph!
This is the Sangameshwara Temple, originally known as the Vijayeshwara temple, since it was built by the Chalukya king, Vijayaditya.
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Detail of the vimana |
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Another incomplete set of work |
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Samhith standing next to the broken pillar... he is about 4 ft tall, so that depression is at least 3 ft in depth! |
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Detail at the bottom of the pillar |
Considering the rate at which I am going, I wonder when I am going to finish this series, but I can't help wanting to post almost every single photo I have taken!
Coming up next: Some of the most beautiful temples at Pattadakal!
Pattadakal Quick Facts
Getting there:
Nearest Airport: Hubli
(about 120 Km )
Nearest Railway Station: Badami
(29 Km)
Pattadakal is well
connected by road to Badami (29 Km) and Aihole (24 Km).
Where to stay: There is
practically no accommodation available at Pattadakal. The nearest city is Badami,
where the KSRTC Mayura Chalukya is the best option. There are also other hotels
and lodges in Badami.
Another lovely set of images Anu!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully captured .
ReplyDeleteSuperb & informative post. Once again enjoyed the virtual photo tour.
ReplyDeleteExcellent images and information.
ReplyDeleteVery informative.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mridula!!
ReplyDeleteThanks TGS!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajesh!
ReplyDeleteThanks PNS!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteNice photos...great blog! keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Ashok!
ReplyDeleteNice blog about Pattadakal, great Pictures :-) keep it up,
ReplyDeleteAlso I read information about pattadakal at site:
http://www.ijaunt.com/karnataka/pattadkal,
Thanks a lot, Sri! will def check out the site
DeleteNice post.. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete