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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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Ganpati Bappa Morya

It's that time of the year when the Lord turns up, at almost every house in the vicinity - small and big alike. He may be tiny or huge, pot bellied or traditional, or in a modern avatar, but his presence is visible at every corner. Since the past few years, we have made our own clay idol of Lord Ganesha at home, a task I really missed this year. However, my mother gave me the opportunity today, and here is the idol I made for her....


He is a tiny chap, small and cute (I think!!), and he would have been a simple Lord, had it not been for my aunt, who brought out these tiny little pieces of jewelry, which we then used to decorate Him. Tonight, he sits peacefully on a betel leaf, waiting for the prayers to begin tomorrow.

He is the Lord of new beginnings, the remover of obstacles. Technically, we aren't supposed to celebrate any festivals in a house of mourning, but it is in times like these that we need Him the most. I pray to Him to bestow His grace upon us all.....

Ganpati Bappa Morya!!!! 
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Comments

  1. LocomenteSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    Aww...
    He looks so chweeet!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ErcotravelsSeptember 11, 2013 at 4:18 PM

    He is cute and on the first glance, appears to be made-up of sweets
    Regards :)
    Our new post is
    http://india-wildlife-tour.blogspot.in/2013/09/an-insight-inside-dudhwa-national-park.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 13, 2013 at 4:21 PM

      Thank you!!! that was the response I recd from many people. the dark brown colour probably reminds u of chocolate!!!

      Delete
  3. SowmyaSeptember 13, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    Very cute Ganapathi. Do u have Navaratri this year ? Am waiting to see ur preparations n celebrations .. Even we keep gombe/dolls for Navaratri n need some tips from u as we r still beginners .. Ur blog is just wonderful n we enjoy going through it. Its Awesome

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 13, 2013 at 4:22 PM

      Thanks Sowmya. no, we dont have navaratri this year, but i will be happy to help you out!

      Delete

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