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
Walking around
the Club Mahindra Cherai Beach Resort, I noticed a flash of feathers as a bird
rose out of the water and flew to a tree. Curious, I waited till the bird
returned, and I realized that it wasn’t wading in the water as I had thought,
but stood at the edge of the water, on the boundary wall….
Even as I watched,
it stretched out its neck, and pecked off something from the surface, and flew
back to its perch, to eat in peace!
I was so
fascinated by the sight, that I stood there for quite a while, watching the
Little Green Heron catch its breakfast!
I spotted
it again, later in the evening, this time perched on one of the Chinese Fishing
Nets.
The Little
Green Heron is apparently quite a common bird, seen frequently in these parts. For
me, however, this was a first time sighting, one I thoroughly enjoyed!
Great example of photography. Loved each one pics. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sumit. Glad you liked them
DeleteLovely capture. This is also commonly known as the Pond Heron?
ReplyDeleteThanks Divsi, but nope, this isnt a pond heron.. a close cousin though :D
DeleteBeautiful bird.. also beautiful writing and photography..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Krishna!
DeleteAnd I have also seen this bird for the first time through your photos. Thank you for that.
ReplyDelete