Heritage
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta caves are located in the Western India on Elephanta Island (Island of Gharapuri). It features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. The caves are robust in their carvings of Shaivite Sculptures. This is about 10 kilometers east of the Gateway of India in Mumbai. There are two hills one to the east and one to the west. The western ridge rises gradually from the sea and expands towards the east. It peaks at an elevation of about 173 meters. Cave 1 or the Great Cave is the landmark Cave which is on the western hill. It is famous for its Shivite depictions and reliefs from Hindu Epics and Mythology. There is a 7 metre high masterpiece “Sadashiva” that dominates the entrance to Cave 1. It represents the three aspects of Shiva – the Creator, Preserver and the...
Monuments at Hampi
Hampi was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. The kingdom built many temples and palaces between 14th and 16th centuries. The property is located in the Tungabhadra basin in Bellary district of Central Karnataka. Group of Monuments at Hampi include forts, reiverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, mandapas etc. The highlights of these are like the Krishna Temple Complex, Narasimha, Ganesha, Hemakunta group of temples, Achyutaraya Temple Complex etc. Dravidan architecture flourished under the Vijayanagara Empire. The Vithala temple is the most exqusite structure. It is a fully developed temple with associated buildings like Kalyana Mandapa and Utsava Mandapa etc. Unique feature of the temples at Hampi is the wide Chariot streets with rows...
