Consider the following statements regarding Elephanta Caves:

1.  Researchers recently discovered two rock-cut Shaivite temple caves older than Elephanta near Ratnagiri

2.  Elephanta Caves are located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai

3.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Solution

A team of researchers recently discovered two rock-cut Shaivite temple caves older than Elephanta  near Ratnagiri. The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), about 7 kms from Mumbai’s mainland shore. The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed in the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD and most of them are dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves are an expression of art and a number of important imageries are sculpted here, which include 'Trimurti' or three-headed Shiva, 'Gangadhar' which is a manifestation of the river Ganga as she descends to the earth and 'Ardhnareshwar', which is a representation of Shiva and Parvati in the same body.