Elephanta Island

The Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri (literally the city of caves) in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves.The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god Shiva.The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries, although the identity of the original builders is still a subject of debate.The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock.All the caves were also originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain.