Elephanta Caves: By the Numbers

The Elephanta Caves were carved out of solid basalt rock during the 5th to 7th centuries CE, possibly by the Kalachuri king Krishnaraja. The exact dates of construction, and identity of the builders, are still debated by scholars. There is also evidence of activity and settlement on the island dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

There are at least 10 distinct representations of the Hindu god Shiva in Cave no 1, including Shiva as Ardhanarishvara, in which Shiva and the goddess Parvati are joined as one, Shiva as Gangadhara, in which Shiva is shown bearing the force of the river goddess Ganga's descent down to earth. There is also Yogishvaraj (the Lord of Yoga),  Nataraja (the Lord of Dance), the manifestation as Sadashiva wherein the manifold aspects of Shiva are depicted on multiple faces, as well as the cave's Shiva linga.

The largest cave, Cave 1, is about 38.4 metres deep and 37.8 metres wide. The flat ceiling is supported by twenty-four columns (and concealed beams) that divide the space into several corridors.

The approximate area in square meters occupied by the caves, with the hills rising to 150 metres at the highest point.

The height in feet of the intricate Maheshmurti sculpture, also known as Sadashiv, in Cave no 1. Sadashiv refers to a full manifest form of Shiva.

It is held by some scholars that a stone inscription was also present at the site, which contained more details about the caves' construction in Brahmi script, which was removed to Portugal and then lost.