Which one of the following statements about the Elephanta Island is co...
Only statement 2 is correct with reference to Elephanta caves. It has one large cave also known as Grand Cave or Cave 1.
The others are false as-
- Statement 1- The name to Elephanta cave was given by the Portuguese explorers.
- Statement 3- It is well known for craving of Hindu lord ‘Shiva’ with various sculpture of Hindu god ‘Shiva’ like Trimurti, Natraj etc.
- Statement 4- The creators of cave remained unknown and are not associated with Pashupata sect.
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Which one of the following statements about the Elephanta Island is co...
Elephanta Island
Elephanta Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Mumbai, India. It is known for its ancient cave temples, which are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Let's discuss the given statements one by one.
a) It was given its name by the British after a large elephant structure located there.
This statement is incorrect. The island was originally known as Gharapuri, which means "the city of caves." The name Elephanta was given by the Portuguese, who found a large stone elephant on the island.
b) It contains one large cave.
This statement is correct. The Elephanta caves consist of one large cave and several smaller ones. The main cave is known as the Shiva Cave or the Great Cave. It is about 39 meters long and 27 meters wide.
c) It is well-known for a spectacular carving of Vishnu described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana.
This statement is incorrect. The Elephanta caves are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, not Vishnu. The caves contain numerous carvings and sculptures of Shiva, including a famous three-headed sculpture known as Trimurti.
d) It is associated with the Pashupata sect.
This statement is partially correct. The Pashupata sect is one of the oldest Shaivite sects in India, and it is believed that the Elephanta caves were built by the Pashupata sect. However, the caves are not exclusively associated with this sect and are considered to be a representation of Shaivism as a whole.
In conclusion, option B is the correct answer as Elephanta Island contains one large cave.