East-facing entrance to the inner sanctum
East-Facing Entrance to the Inner Sanctum
Situated slightly west of the center of the Main Hall, the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) is a cubical enclosure housing a stone Shiva Linga at its center.
The image shows the east-facing entrance to the garbhagriha. As seen here, the shrine is approached by a short flight of steps because the floor of the sanctum is approximately 3.5 ft higher than that of the central hall.
The entrance is flanked by large dvarapalas (door guardians), symbolizing the constant protection of the sacred space and the Shiva Linga within. Each dvarapala stands approximately 15 ft high, causing the sculptures to occupy nearly the full height of the central hall. The face of the left dvarapala has been cut away, leaving a flat surface where the facial features once existed, while the lower portion of the right dvarapala has been destroyed. This damage is consistent with the vandalism suffered by many of the sculptures at Elephanta during the Portuguese period.
The sculptors did a remarkable job of making these guardian figures appear both awe-inspiring and dignified. Both dvarapalas wear a yajnopavita (sacred thread) and a variety of finely carved jewelry, including necklaces and armlets. The dvarapala on the left wears a jatamukuta (matted locks arranged as a crown), whereas the the right one wears an ornate royal crown.
The doorway itself is elegantly designed, with multiple recessed frames that enhance its architectural richness and visual depth.
This inner sanctum is a Sarvatobhadra shrine (Sanskrit: sarvatobhadra), meaning “auspicious on all sides.” Square in plan, it has entrances on all four cardinal directions, allowing devotees to perform pradakshina (circumambulation) and approach the shrine from any direction for worship.
In contrast, in mantapa-style architecture, such as that seen in the Badami caves, the garbhagriha is located at the rear and typically has a single entrance, making circumambulation within the sanctum impossible. This is a key feature that distinguishes Cave 1 at Elephanta from the Badami cave temples.
Related Images
– Elephanta Cave 1: Interior of the Main Hall
– Shiva Linga within the Garbhagriha
Related Pages
– Badami
– Cave Temples of Badami
– Badami Cave 1, Badami Cave 2, Badami Cave 3, Badami Cave 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
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