This place is known as the city of caves

Key Points

• Gharapuri is more commonly known as Elephanta Island, located in Mumbai Harbour, India.
• It is famous for its ancient rock-cut temples and caves, which are dedicated primarily to Hindu deities.
• The Elephanta Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for their outstanding architecture and historical significance.
• The caves primarily contain rock-cut sculptures representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, focusing on the god Shiva.

Additional Information

• Ajanta Caves
  • Located in Maharashtra, India, the Ajanta Caves are renowned for their Buddhist rock-cut cave monuments.
  • The caves feature exquisite paintings and sculptures that date back to the 2nd century BCE to 480 CE.
  • They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrated for their detailed and vibrant frescoes and murals depicting the life of Buddha.
  • Ajanta Caves are divided into two groups: the older Hinayana group and the later Mahayana group.
• Ellora Caves
  • Located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, India, the Ellora Caves are one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world.
  • The site features Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments, dating from 600-1000 CE.
  • The most notable of these is the Kailasa temple, a massive rock-cut monolithic structure dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and highlight the religious harmony prevalent during the period of their construction.
• Udayagiri Caves
  • Located in Madhya Pradesh, India, the Udayagiri Caves are a group of twenty rock-cut caves carved during the early 5th century CE.
  • These caves are significant for their Hindu and Jain sculptures and inscriptions.
  • They are particularly well-known for the depiction of Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) incarnation.
  • Udayagiri Caves are an important site for the study of ancient Indian art and iconography.