Aspirant Academy
ENHI

RAS question

The Elephanta Cave temples near Mumbai are dedicated to:

Correct answer: (C) Lord Shiva.

The Elephanta Cave temples near Mumbai are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

  1. (A)

    Lord Vishnu

  2. (B)

    Lord Buddha

  3. (C)

    Lord Shiva

  4. (D)

    Lord Mahavira

Explanation

The Elephanta Caves are a 6th-century CE Shaiva cave-temple complex near Mumbai, with Cave 1's lingam shrine and major Siva panels establishing this identification. The central recess contains the celebrated Mahesa-murti, described by ASI as a colossal bust showing three forms of Siva: aghora, tatpurusha and vamadeva. This iconographic point is central to the MCQ: the famous Trimurti Sadashiva image marks the caves as dedicated to Shiva, not to Vishnu, Buddha or Mahavira. The site has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Lord Vishnu is wrong because Cave 1 centres on a lingam shrine and major Siva images, not Vishnu worship.
  • (B) Lord Buddha is wrong because the Buddhist cave association belongs to Ajanta, while Elephanta's defining images are Shaiva.
  • (D) Lord Mahavira is wrong because Jain temples belong to a separate tradition elsewhere, whereas Elephanta's key shrine and sculptures are Shaiva.

Concept

This tests rock-cut temple architecture and religious iconography in ancient India. It recurs in RAS because sites such as Elephanta are asked through their presiding deity, signature sculpture and heritage status.

Source

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