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
If Wayanad was an eye opening trip, Mysore was sheer bliss. Continuing our Mom and Son vacation at the Heritage city, the zoo was easily the highlight of the trip! While Samhith was fascinated by the Jaguar, it was a Russel's Viper that he eventually adopted, as part of the zoo's admirable animal adoption programme.
As for me, the Mysore Palace was one I had longed to visit, for years, and I indulged in the experience, Samhith playing along, coming with me to see the palace as often as I wished!
The biggest surprise in Mysore were the lakes - Kukkarahalli Kere and Karanji Lake, where we could not just relax, leaving the city and its touristy crowds behind, but also watch birds!
We then immersed ourselves in other museums - the Rail Museum and also the less known Jayalakshmi Vilas Palace Museum....
And, on a short jaunt to Srirangapatna, delighted ourselves with more birds at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary!
We spent 5 whole days in Mysore, having found a homestay, which truly felt like home, and, in all that time, didn't feel like stepping outside the city (except for that short jaunt into Srirangapatna). And as we realized when we left, we wouldn't mind going back there either!!
Related Posts:
- Mysore Palace
- Shveta Varahaswami Temple, Mysore Palace
- Chamundi Hills
- A Photowalk through Mysore Zoo
- Summer evenings with birds at Kukkarahalli Kere
- Karanji Lake
- Jayalakshmi Vilas Palace Complex and Museum
- Rail Museum
- Hotel Review : Mauve Orchid, Mysore
wow photography is soo good !! , I am glad we still have these beautiful birds
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sri!
DeleteAamazing photography, specially the photograph of Mysore Palace
ReplyDeleteIts very nice to read your Article..very Informative..thanks..
ReplyDelete