TRIMURTEE

Elephanta caves situated about 10 km. from Mumbai on a beautiful small island are world-famous for their sculptural work, depicting well-known mythological themes from the life of Shiva. Some of these sculptures are Kalyan Sundarammurti, Nataraja, Andhasurvadhmurti, and the Maheshmurti bust of the Hindu trinity. It is one of the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. This lively sculpture carved out of a single large stone of 10 feet high is standing opposite the northern entrance to the caves.

This has three faces with the nickname Trimurtee. Its central face represents the supreme Shiva who preserves life and has a majestic, impressive, and serene look. On the left lies the face of Bhairava/Shiva the terrible, who destroys, which has a wrathful and angry look. The third face on the right is the face of Uma, having a concert, representing Shakti/Creator which has a young and peaceful look on its face. The bust of this sculpture seems to be coming out from another world. The whole sculpture is decorated by carving different forms of ornaments on the stone. Large 'Jata'on his head works as a beautiful crown. Its lower lips are broad and bulging which adds to the beauty of the sculpture. Thus this sculpture represents that Shiva is at once the creator, destroyer, and preserver of the universe.