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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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Skywatch Friday..... So many shades of blue!

We were on the ramparts of the Dansborg Fort at Tarangambadi, when Samhith excitedly pointed out the clouds looming low over the sea. "Amma, look at how many shades of blue there are!" he exclaimed......


Tarangambadi in Tamilnadu is where the Dutch first landed in India, and this little town was once a Dutch colony. Today, it is a sleepy hamlet, with the restored fort the biggest attraction, and the sea a constant reminder of nature's vagaries. The Tsunami of 2004 washed part of it away, and the scars remain, making the sea not very safe for bathing or swimming. It rained through the two days we spent there, and we enjoyed the experience of just sitting, listening to the pitter patter of the raindrops, and the roar of the waves... no wonder the name of the town, in Tamil means "Land of the singing waves"

I am posting this as part of Skywatch Friday... Lots more pics and stories coming up about Tarangambadi soon! 

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Location: Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

  1. Light and VoicesNovember 21, 2014 at 4:25 PM

    "Land of the Singing Waves" what a beautiful name for a beautiful place. I would love to sit and hear the waves and feel the fresh air blowing through my hair and enjoy the warmth of the sun on my back. You posted an excellent image this week.
    JM, Illinois-U.S.A.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarNovember 23, 2014 at 8:32 AM

      Thank you, JM! If you ever visit India, you should surely add Tarangambadi to your list!!

      Delete
  2. R Niranjan DasNovember 21, 2014 at 4:38 PM

    Nice capture. Tharangambadi is definitely a lovely place.

    ReplyDelete
  3. GaleNovember 21, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    Beautiful picture...so sad about the tsunami

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarNovember 23, 2014 at 8:34 AM

      Thank you, Gale. The tsunami wreaked havoc all over this coast. it was really sad and the scars remain even today, though things have improved since then

      Delete
  4. FeliciaNovember 21, 2014 at 9:39 PM

    this is beautiful. love the light.

    ReplyDelete
  5. peppylady (Dora)November 22, 2014 at 6:51 AM

    Nice photo.
    There was no blue sky in North Idaho, today.
    Coffee is on

    ReplyDelete
  6. Spare Parts and PicsNovember 22, 2014 at 10:53 AM

    Very nice stormy sky! Looks like a beautiful location.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousNovember 23, 2014 at 7:42 PM

    That's a gorgeous shot.

    ReplyDelete

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