Island with elephant named, at which there is no elephant

Refuge from the hustle Megacities - Elephant Island Samuel Laub During a visit to the irregularly enlarged, clogged metropolis of Mumbai does not need much time to have desired peace and quiet. In this case, without loss of time to get to the famous monument "India Gate, which is very similar to normal for Europe Arc de Triomphe. Nearby is the pier, where for 45 minutes to reach the small island of Elephanta. (Proper name given in the nominative case, approx. Perevi.) Relatively short (approximately 45 minutes) with a boat tour allows you to get long-awaited peace, and in addition explore the most interesting historical sites. This island, surrounded by numerous oil vessels surprisingly retained its natural and spiritual wealth. It is extremely important to remember that the best way to hit the road to the island as early as possible in the 9-00 or 9-30 (the time of departure of first and second boats) to the crowds did not prevent you to enjoy the natural beauty and cultural attractions. This legless demon looks a little annoyed when you first visit the island very quickly realize that there is no living elephants, nor of their articles (elepant - the elephant in English, prim.perev.). Of course, that there is a fair question: why is the name of the island? The fact is that, when Portuguese sailors landed on the shore, the first thing they saw - a gigantic figure of an elephant, carved from a single piece of rock. The statue has since spoiled pretty bad weather and erosion, but it was restored and is now kept in the museum of Prince Albert in the city of Mumbai. By the time you reach the island, you learn that from the marina to the famous caves will have to walk about two kilometers. Throughout the road verges is absurdly large number of eateries and souvenir shops. Here you can buy everything from T-shirts and finishing with a decorative carved ivory. It is worth to the most recent store to buy a bottle of water before you begin to inspect the dusty archaeological developments. Despite the fact that the elephants on the island is no longer live here the rest of sculpture looks stunning, although they were more than a thousand years. The most prominent of them - a huge three-headed statue of Lord Shiva (the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer) - rests in the main cave, known as the Maheshmurti. Three images of Lord Shiva Although Portuguese willingly used the "pagan" works of art as targets for shooting, most of the sculptures well preserved. Many of the smaller pieces contain interesting details, one of my favorite - a warrior with the head of an elephant, holding a battle ax. An elephant with a battle ax. After learn all the statues in the main cave and exit it, turn right. The path will lead you to several small caves: some of them empty and some have a small burial. Keep going along the path, and you will see that it is spirally wound around the top of the island, known as the Artillery Hill. Artillery gun on the hill There are two large and quite modern guns. If you're lucky like me and you will be alone with yourself, then I would advise you to sit down, relax and enjoy the amazing view, which opens here. The main entrance to the cave on. Elephanta Keep in mind that the trip will take about four hours. A boat ride costs about 120 rupees (I would recommend you climb to the upper deck that is worth another 10 rupees). On the island with you the first thing will take a minor tourist tax of 5 rupees, then, to gain access to the caves, you will have to pay another 250. Also highly recommend before you can post a trip, buy an illustrated guide to the caves of Elephanta, the author of Amar Chitra Katha. He asked for 75 rupees, but this has not stopped me a brochure for a bargain 50. In addition it provides fairly good illustrations of stories about all the sculptures of the island. And, of course, you can hire a local guide, good candidates are here in abundance. It walks you through the caves and he would explain the value of the statues. Mumbai. View from the sea. During this trip you can also enjoy the beautiful, albeit slightly depressing view of Mumbai and see how it gradually turns into a dirty gas polluted metropolis. They say that the best view of the magnificent Taj Palace, Hotel Tower and the Monument to the India Gate opens when returning from the island of Elephanta. See also: India, Sri Lanka - the place of paradise, the problems of earthly ruins of Hampi, injustice and thick beggars India and Bangladesh, Elephant Festival in India