Elephanta: The Cave of Shiva

Elephanta: The Cave of Shiva

Three descriptive essays and numerous fascinating photographs, taken

especially for this volume, allow the reader to experience a major monument

of Indian art: the sixth century temple cave on Elephanta Island, in Bombay

harbor, and its extraordinary stone sculptures. The authors and the

photographer capture the atmosphere of the cave and the spirit of the

sculptures, which portray the relentless energy and paradoxical power of

Shiva, greatest of all Hindu gods. The photographs are particularly

successful in revealing the dramatic alternation of light and dark that is

so much a part of the beauty of the cave’s interior. Ms. Berkson’s trained

and loving eye picks out the subtleties of the main sculptures and humorous

details that the visitor might miss even on the site.

In the text Wendy O’Flaherty interprets the myths of Shiva depicted in the

sculpture; Ms. berkson’s essay supplies historical background and a

stylistic analysis; and George Michell examines the overall structure of

the cave to show that it is a mandala-like image of the heavenly mountain

residence of Shiva and even of the structure of the universe itself.

“The author as well as the publishers of the work deserve to be

congratulated for providing this easily accessible guide to Elephanta.”

Research Bulletin Vishveshvaranand

Vedic Research Institute,Vol.I, Dec.2002

Review(s)

“The author as well as the publishers of the work deserve to be congratulated for providing this easily accessible guide to Elephanta.”-Research Bulletin Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research I

About the Author(s)