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
We were on our way to a temple, with a hot spring. "It is a nice temple" assured our driver. "It won't be crowded at all." The single bus standing outside the tiny temple should have warned us, but we didn't pay attention till it was too late. The shrine, and the spring, were filled with people - who stared as we walked in. It was an unnerving experience, and we rushed to get out. A flash of white on a tree diverted me, and I hurried to see what it was. It turned out to be an Egyptian Vulture.. the saving grace of the long journey it had taken us to get here!!!
The vulture perched on the bare branch for a while, allowing me a good capture...
and then spread its wings, and soared up into the air. I watched, struck by just how beautiful it looked, and almost forgot to click. But the vulture circled, and another one joined it.... and I just had to try my luck to capture it in flight....
We stood there, losing track of time, watching the birds swoop and circle, and wondered what they were doing. Our driver rushed up, surprised to see out outside, looking at a bird, instead of the temple. By the time I turned back, the birds had disappeared, and we headed back to the car.
It was as if they had appeared just for us, to make up for the disappointing temple, and the baleful stares of those we had surprised!It is moments like these which make trips memorable, don't they?
This post is part of my series on my #summertrip 2015, and I hope to take you along with me as I recount stories from my month long trip, which took me across the country. To get an idea of all the places I visited, and what you can hope to read about, click here.
Related Posts:
Related Posts:
- The Himachal Series-
Vulture watching is rare these days. You are lucky you saw it. And thanks for sharing photos. We also watching because of you.
ReplyDeletesurprisingly Tushar, I have seen Egyptian vultures earlier too, near Mysore. but its always a pleasure to see such rare birds!
DeleteLook at the wing span!! Lovely catch there Anu.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Prashanth! I was fascinated by the wingspan too, and elated that I could capture it, for once :D
DeleteWell, I would have liked to see your driver's face! Rushing out of a temple and staring at a vulture :D
ReplyDeleteOh Usha.. that was certainly a sight worth it! I dont think he ever had passengers like us. first we didnt want to visit any of the popular temples, and then i stopped him for birds, and sheep! not sure if he will come again if i call him on my next trip there :P
Delete