Elephanta Caves
Maharashtra
Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 under Criteria (i) and (iii), the Elephanta Caves are located on Elephanta Island in the Sea of Oman, near Mumbai in Maharashtra's Kolaba district. This remarkable rock-cut complex is dedicated primarily to the Hindu god Shiva and dates back to the 5th to 8th centuries. The main cave houses magnificent high-relief sculptures, including the iconic three-headed Shiva, or Trimurti, a masterpiece of Indian art. The caves reflect exceptional artistic achievement and spiritual significance, representing one of the finest examples of ancient rock architecture and the Shaivite tradition.
