The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c18.7

c18.7

Elephanta was the name given to the island by the Portuguese on account of a great stone elephant which formerly stood near the landing-place on the south side of the island. Its Indian name is Ghârâpurî, which seems to be a corruption of Ghârîpurî, "the town of the Ghârîs, or Guruvas," who are people of the Sudra caste performing priestly duties at Saivaite temples. Probably at one time the island, which contains several other rock-cut shrines besides the great temple, was a sacred city dedicated to the cult of Siva. It is still visited by pious Hindu pilgrims on the occasion of the great Saivaite festival in February, but no regular service has been held at the temple since it was desecrated in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese, who are said to be responsible for most of the barbarous mutilation of the sculptures.