Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and feature rock-cut stone sculptures, mostly in high relief, showing syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist ideas. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock and contain artwork dating back to between the 5th and 9th centuries, attributed to various Hindu dynasties. The main temple's orientation and location of other temples follow a mandala pattern, and the carvings narrate Hindu legends, including the celebrated Trimurti Sadashiva. The caves were named Elephanta by the colonial Portuguese, who also established a base on the island. Restoration efforts began in 1909, and the monuments were restored in the 1970s, with the Archaeological Survey of India currently maintaining the site.learn more on wikipedia