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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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Ganesha with a Message

While I enjoy going to see all the Ganpatis in their various avatars around Mumbai during the ten days of Ganeshotsav, it is those with a message which really touch my heart. Among my favourite ones - one I have been seeing for almost 20 years now, and which is located right outside my college - is the Ruia Naka Ganpati. 





This year the theme is 'Save the Girl Child'.... And they have chosen to depict it through the medium of the Goddess as well as women achievers.

Maharashtra is home to 3 1/2 Shaktipeethas - 52 temples of the Devi located in the Indian Subcontinent - From left to right in the pic - Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur, Renuka Devi at Mahur and Saptashrungi Devi at Vani.

And behind these deities are women achievers from every possible field.. There is a board in front of the deity -



The issue taken up here is the spate of female foeticides, and in Marathi is a poem asking the Lord to bless us with a vision that makes us see, not just a girl child in the ultrasound, but an achiever. 


What I really liked about this one is how it focuses on changing our vision - after all, it is how we see things that decides how we react to issues. So it is that vision we need to change!

Usha, I really missed you this year! Esp when we visited this Ganpati.. which, I remember, is the only one you really liked when we visited Ganpatis together!
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Location: Ramnarain Ruia College, L. Nappo Road, Matunga, Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 019, India

Comments

  1. MridulaSeptember 27, 2012 at 2:24 PM

    It is that time for you again when festival after festival will arrive! Enjoy Anu and I will enjoy through you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:41 AM

      oh yes, Mridula, the festive season has indeed arrived...and with all your travels, it looks like its the travel festive season for you :D

      Delete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    I agree with Mridula! I wanted to come read this one for long...so what is your little "ganpati' saying to all this? He probably is enjoying the modak more LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:45 AM

      Thanks Julia! the little ganpati is so busy with stuff at school, there is no time to do anything :( as to modaks, unfortunately, we cant make them this year for some reasons, so he is missing out on them.. have promised to make them for him once the festival is over, though :D

      Delete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    I wanted to read your post long ago. So what is your little Ganpati saying to all this? He is probably enjoying the modhak more LOL

    ReplyDelete
  4. chitraSeptember 27, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    I love to read your posts during festival times.They are colurful,full of life and you bring the essence of each through your posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:46 AM

      Thanks so much, Chitra.. its nice to see u here again!

      Delete
  5. DeniseinVASeptember 27, 2012 at 9:13 PM

    I wish you a happy festival time. I have enjoyed visiting your blog. Thank you very much for sending me the link.

    ReplyDelete
  6. IndraniSeptember 28, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    That is very thoughtful!
    Happy festival greetings!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ArtiSeptember 28, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    Wow Anu, that is a wonderful theme and very creatively done! Loved it, thanks for taking us there! :)

    ReplyDelete

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