Elephanta Caves - Elephanta Caves

Japanese: エレファンタ石窟 - エレファンタせっくつ（英語表記）Elephanta Caves

Hindu caves on Elephanta Island in Mumbai (Bombay) Bay, western India. There are eight caves in total, including some that are incomplete, but the most notable for its size and content is Cave 1, estimated to have been built in the first half of the 8th century. Originally, the main entrance faced east, and a square shrine dedicated to a linga (sun stone, → linga worship) was located at the western end of the hall. Later, an entrance was added to the west of the shrine, and a new main entrance was built on the north side of the hall. A statue of Shiva was enshrined at the southern end, changing the overall plan to a cross shape. There were 26 pillars in the cave, but only 18 remain today. The bust of Shiva on the southern end wall is about 5.4 meters high. There are also eight other reliefs of Shiva-related figures in the cave. All of them are almost carved in round, and have a majestic volume, making them masterpieces of Hindu sculpture from the early medieval period. In 1987, it was registered as a World Heritage Site.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

インド西部，ムンバイ (ボンベイ) 湾内のエレファンタ島にあるヒンドゥー教石窟群。未完成のものを含めて全部で8窟から成るが，規模，内容とも注目に値するのは第1窟で，建造年代は8世紀前半と推定される。初めは東を正面とし，広間の西奥にリンガ (陽石。→リンガ崇拝 ) を祀る方形祠堂をおいていたが，のち祠堂の西側にも入口をつけ，また広間の北側に新たな正面入口を設け，南奥にシバ神像を祀って全体のプランを十字形に変えた。石窟内には 26基の柱があったが，現存するのは 18基。南奥壁のシバ神胸像は高さ約 5.4mに及ぶ。石窟内にはこのほかシバ神に関係する群像浮彫が8面ある。いずれも丸彫に近い表現で堂々たる量感をもち，中世初期ヒンドゥー教彫刻の傑作といえる。 1987年世界遺産の文化遺産に登録。

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