The history of
elephanta is the hoary mists of time.
Crowning the island's easteem hill, and commanding a panoramic view of wood-land,
marsh and sea, are the Buddhist stupas' or burial mounds and cisterns. Their
antiquity has been traced back to the third century or even earlier.
he motor launch from Bombay's Gateway of India chugs out of the harbour, past
fishing boats, large ships and little islands, buoys bob up and down. The northern
coastline of Bombay. reminds you of the changing industrial and technological
scene. Attendant gulls hover motionless overhead, an occasional fish leaps out
of the wake furrowing behind it is a pleasant hour and 15 minutes to Elephanta.
Once known as Puri - later Gharapuri - this island was the proud capital of
a powerful coastal kingdom and the great cave shrine in praise of Shiva, excavated
in the sixth century, added to the ruling dynasty. Several centuries later the
Portugese took possession of the island. They found monolithic stone elephant
at the place where they landed and also named this a ilha do elephanta, island
of the elephant. There was a stone horse too, a little further, which has a
vanished without a trace.
The Portugese built a fort here with a watchtower, hoisting up to flag to ward
off Aattacks by pirates boats. Did they use the caves for target practice? Or
did they deliberately desecrate the sculptures? Antonio Bocarro, Portugese chronicler
of the 17th century described Elephanta vividity and made special mention of
the cistern of water in the western cave: "There is also a large and deep
tank of water without which the heathens of the East never build their pagodas;
because among their other abominations they believe that water purifies and
cleanses them".
Early European writes made wild gueses about the origin of the cave, as fanciful
as they were off they mark. One wrote that he had heard it was built by the
Chinese when they were sailing by. Another asserted that it was Alexander the
Great who excavated the cave to the mark of the end of this conquests. The British
followed the Portugese and there are some interesting 18th century accounts
describing Elephanta. Captain Alexander Hamilton fired a gun into one of the
caves,"…I never heard canon or thunder make such a dreadful noise,
which continued for half a minute and the mountain seemed to shake". As
soon as the noise subsided a serpent 15 ft. long emerged from the cave, sending
Alexander Hamilton pelting down the hill.
The great stone elephant toppled over and was earmarking for the British museum,
where it would have been had not the crane broken while attempting to split
it. Jumbo was then moved to a city museum in Bombay. Out of the launch you climb
120 steps up a steep hill. Birds and monkeys chatter amid the branches arching
above; though the trees behind you the sea shimmers in the sunlight as you step
into the clearing before the caves. This the, is Elephanta.
How to Reach Elephanta
Regular launch services from the gateway of India take you to Elephanta Island
throughout the year, except during the monsoon. If the steep climb up to cave
is daunting, you can hire a chair and be carried up.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
November to March is the ideal time. During May the crossing may be a little
rough.
THE ELEPHANTA FESTIVAL
February sees an explosion of dance and music on the island when the Elephanta
Festival is staged. Eminent artistes- dancers and musicians- perform under the
stars outside the caves. Special launch services take you to the island and
catering arrangements add to your comfort. Plan to visit Elephanta during Festival
time.
