Elephanta Festival of Art and Culture – Elephanta Island – Facts 04/07/2019 – Posted in: ART & CULTURE – Tags: ,

Elephanta Festival of Art and Culture

 

The Elephanta Festival of art and culture kicked off at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

  • The event is organized on the Elephanta Island.
  • It is promoted by the state government of Maharashtra.
  • Elephanta Caves located on the Elephanta island.
  • Elephanta Island (10km from the Gateway of India at Mumbai) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • They are a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to Lord Shiv with remarkable images of Ardhanarisvara, Kalyana-Sundara Shiva, Ravana lifting Kailasa, Andhakari-Murti (slaying of Andhaka demon) and Nataraja Shiva.

 

Elephanta Caves

  • Elephanta is anciently known as Gharapuri, the island capital of Konkan Mauryas.
  • The cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva was excavated in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta kings.
  • The Elephanta caves are a conglomeration of seven caves, out of which the most important is the Mahesa-murti cave.
  • The main body of the cave, excluding the porticos on the three open sides and the back isle, is 27 metres square and is supported by rows of six columns each.
  • The gigantic figures of ‘dvarapalas’ or doorkeepers are very impressive.
  • There are sculptured compartments in this cave.
  • Caves were cut into granite rocks.

 

Background

  • The Elephanta Festival of art and culture was started in 2012.
  • Since then is held every year to promote tourism and culture of Mumbai.
  • It is held on Gharapuri island (also known as Elephanta Island) where Elephanta Caves are located.
  • Elephanta Caves is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

 

Source: The Hindu

 

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