The
Elephanta Caves (natively known as
Gharapurichi Leni, basically Gharapuri) are a network of sculpted caves located on
Elephanta Island, or
Gharapuri (literally "the city of caves") in
Mumbai Harbour, to the east of the city of
Mumbai in the
Indian state of
Maharashtra. The island, located on an arm of the
Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves—the first is a large group of five
Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two
Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain
rock cut stone sculptures, representing the
Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the Lord
Shiva.