Visit to Elephanta caves

I am writing this from the cool com forts of my studio apartment facing the
Borivali National Park in suburban Mumbai. I have just returned after a close
encounter with nature having visited the Elephanta caves off the coast of Mumbai.
I wanted to enjoy the beauty of the crimson sunset over the choppy waters of the
Arabian sea, hence I reached the Colaba boat jetty at 3:00 p.m. and boarded the
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporations catamaran which ferries tourists to
and from Elephanta caves. The return boat trip takes 120 minutes and one can
spend an hour exploring the caves.

Located 10 km from the Gateway of India at Mumbai, the entire cave temple
complex covers an area of about 60,000 sq ft and consists of a main
chamber and two lateral ones, courtyards and several subsidiary shrines.
The caves are hewed from solid rock. The first cave represents the evolved
ancient rock architecture. The caves date back to 5000 years at the
beginning of Kali Yuga, which started at the death of Shri Krishna. The most
exciting part of the journey is the speed boat ride from Colaba boat jetty to
Elephanta boat jetty. In order to get picture postcard photographs of the
sunset, it is advisable to take the last boat that leaves the Colaba pier at
3:00 p.m. The journey to Elephanta caves, over choppy waters, takes all of
60 minutes by boat.
The boat journey gives one an opportunity to photograph a flock of seagulls
which follow ones boat. Watching the seagulls in full flight in symmetric
rows, flying as fast as ones boat parallel to the surface of the translucent
waters of the ocean can put you into a deep trance. It is indeed pleasant to
watch the team-work of the seagulls, as they fly in formation. The most
challenging part of the boat ride, is to be able to capture these delicate
creatures in full flight on ones digital camera. The first thirty minutes of the
boat ride, takes one close to several large cargo ships berthed off the shore.
As we proceed further the oil rigs of Bombay High comes into view with a
naked flame boldly announcing the presence of the drilling platform.
As one moves across the seas, one can see several catamarans and speed
boats returning from Elephanta. The cool sea breeze, the hum of the waves
and the rocking motions of the boat allows one to relax deeply a few
kilometers away from the humdrum of a metropolis with ten million
residents.

After about 45 minutes, one can see the outline of two elephant shaped hills
in the distance. These giant hills are covered with a carpet of thick green
cover. As the boat swerves and makes its way towards these islands, one can
see them appear closer. As the giant orbs of green inch closer, the more
beautiful they look. The forest cover is thick and giant trees, stand shoulder
to shoulder, undisturbed over centuries. After about an hour, one alights on
Elephanta island and treks upto the caves. A toy train run by the
Maharashtra State Tourism Department ferries passengers too lazy to walk,
to the steps leading to the cave for a flat fee of Rs. 10/- each. One prefers to
walk to enjoy, the cool breeze and the natural beauty around. At a slow pace,
one can reach the caves after a 20 minute trek from the pier. However, the
climb is steep at certain gradients and one can feel ones calf muscles ache,
after reaching the caves. One can get a panoramic view of the muddy, flat
beach that surrounds elephant Island. One can see vendors selling raw
mangoes, star-fruits and tender-coconuts during ones uphill journey. A few
shops selling souvenirs , clothes and handicrafts can be seen, as one trudges
up the hill. A few restaurants, serving vegetarian cuisine are also seen, but
they are best avoided.
After reaching the caves, one has to pay an entrance fee of Rs. 10/- and
climb up the steps to enter the caves. A giant shivling crowns one of the
caves. A giant life like sculpture of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh is visible in
the central cave. This sculpture though sculpted 5000 years back, still is
preserved in an excellent condition. The other caves have rock sculptures of
Goddess Durga, Shiva and Parvati and various apsaras.
The energy aura emanating out of Elephanta caves is phenomenal. As caves
are pockets of high cosmic energy and Elephanta caves are covered by a
thick forest cover and covered on all sides by sea and the island is home to
hundreds of giant trees, one can meditate undisturbed under one of the
many trees which are located a short distance away from the caves. One can
take the first boat leaving for Elephanta in the morning at 10:00 a.m. and
return by the last boat that leaves Elephanta at 5 p.m. if one wishes to spend
the whole day exploring the caves and the forests that surround the caves.
The giant shivling at Elephanta is located inside the second cave and it is
considered auspicious by the locals to charge oneself with the cosmic energy
stored in this 5000 year old shivling by touching your forehead (pineal gland)
to the centre of the shivling. The locals believe that the ancient shivling at
Elephanta, represents the pineal gland of Lord Shiva and touching ones

pineal gland to the shivling cures all physical, mental and spiritual ailments
of the devotee.
After spending a few hours exploring the beauty of the caves and wondering
about how these giant slabs of rock were chiseled so finely so as to reveal
the sharp features of each carving, one makes ones way back to the pier.
The descent from Elephanta caves is less painful than the ascent. One can
see several long-tailed macaques swinging from the trees that surround
Elephanta caves. A few of the more adventurous ones also makes ones way
down from the trees and wander around the caves. On the way back one
can capture the magical moment of the crimson sunset over the blue waters
of the Arabian sea. On the return trip, one gets another chance to capture
the flock of seagulls who follow ones boat for over 30 minutes. A few of
these brave birds also plonk themselves on the roof of the boat.

Inside Elephanta Caves

Sunset over Elephanta Caves

Inside Elephanta Caves

A sea-gull sighted on the boat ride to Elephanta caves

First view of Elephanta caves

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Murli Menon, is a travel writer, stress management consultant and author
based at Ahmedabad, India. He is the author of "ZeNLP-Learning through
stories" published by The Written Word Publications, "ZeNLP-the power to
succeed" published by Sage publications and ZeNLP-the power to relax by
New Dawn Press. He can be reached at ceo@tips4ceos.com
_____________________________________________________________________________
Courier payments/published magazine author copies to:
Murli Menon
E/503, Borsali Apt;
Khanpur
Ahmedabad-380001
Phone:079-25600269
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resolution digital photographs attached with caption.

The following article and photographs are copyrighted and all rights are
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reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval
system without written permission from the author by emailing us at
ceo@tips4ceos.com

________________________________________________________________________
Courier payments/published magazine author copies to:
Murli Menon
E/503, Borsali Apt;
Khanpur
Ahmedabad-380001
Phone:079-25600269
________________________________________________________________________

High resolution digital photographs attached with caption.

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