Elephanta Caves: Know history, architecture of THIS UNESCO heritage

Elephanta Island, with its remarkable Hindu deity sculptures, is a historical heritage site of Mumbai

Mumbai's 2200-year-old Elephanta Caves are a small island rich in ancient archaeological remains

Famous for its magnificent cave temples and Hindu deities, it's a world heritage site

Located 9 nautical miles from the Gateway of India, it was named by the Portuguese

Ruled by Chalukyas and Gujarat Sultanate, the caves are masterpieces of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture

The caves showcase stone carvings of Shiva-Parvati, Ravana, and other deities

Dating back to the 5th-6th centuries, the caves feature Hindu sculptures and Buddhist paintings

Historians believe the caves were built during the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta empires

A major tourist spot, the island hosts the Elephanta Festival promoting Indian classical dance and music

Located in the Arabian Sea, the island's area varies with the tides