Which one of the following statements about the Elephanta Island is correct?
- A.It was given its name by the British after a large elephant structure located there.
- B.It contains one large cave.
- C.It is well-known for a spectacular carving of Vishnu described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana.
- D.It is associated with the Pashupata sect.
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, It is associated with the Pashupata sect. The Elephanta caves are Shaiva rock-cut shrines, and their imagery is linked by scholars to the Pashupata order of Shiva worshippers.
The island lies in Mumbai harbour and is known locally as Gharapuri. Its main cave, cut around the 6th century CE, holds the famous three-headed Sadashiva (often called Trimurti) along with panels of Shiva as Nataraja, Ardhanarishvara and Gangadhara. The caves became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
A is wrong because the name Elephanta was given by the Portuguese, who found a large stone elephant near the landing place; the British did not name it. B is wrong because the island has several caves, a group of Hindu caves and a smaller group of Buddhist caves, not just one. C is wrong because the celebrated carving there is of Shiva (Sadashiva), not of Vishnu.
Exam tip: Elephanta = Gharapuri, Shaiva caves, Sadashiva image, named by the Portuguese, UNESCO site since 1987.
Practice Questions
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