Shiva Temple, Elephanta Island, Mumbai

Day 30ish 16/03
Car & guide duly arrived and we left for Elephanta Island, from a dock down by the famous, and infamous Taj Hotel and The Gateway To India.
Nothing elephantine about this island however, it's claim to fame is the 1400 year old Hindu temple carved out of the solid rock. The temple is dedicated to Shiva therefore it is full of carvings of him, and his wife, Parvati, and of course their various offspring, for example Ganesh.
Unfortunately the first Europeans to have control here were the Portuguese, and they being of a different religious persuasion, used the statues for target practice, thus most are dismembered and / or defaced. One good one survived, apparently because it was hidden behind heavy wooden shuttering.
On return to Mumbai, lunch was taken. The Thali was excellent, but being in Mumbai it cost 5x the same in Goa. Not complaining, just saying.
The afternoon was spent driving around central Mumbai: Victoria Station, Men only hand laundry etc., etc. See extras – some random shots around.


Some more of this tomorrow, then airport by 18:00. Don't know about WiFi from here on, so signing off from this years Indian sub-continent trip.

Haste ye back !

G