Rock-Cut Chamber in the Portico Wall
This image shows the rock-cut chamber on the right side of the garbhagriha, near the Remains of the Northern Hall. An identical chamber is excavated on the opposite side of the garbhagriha, creating a symmetrical layout within the mukhamantapa (portico).
As seen in the image, the doorway is richly ornamented with beautifully carved door jambs, lintel, and pediment, making it one of the finest surviving doorways in the entire Elephanta Caves complex. The doorway is framed by two recessed bands, beyond which are pilasters surmounted by semicircular decorative motifs aligned with the lintel. A similar semicircular motif is carved at the center of the lintel. The upper portion of the pediment is missing, while the lower portion contains two circular niches with carved figures that are now heavily weathered and damaged.
The original purpose of these side chambers remains uncertain. They may have served as subsidiary shrines, accommodation for temple priests, storage spaces for ritual objects, or rooms associated with temple ceremonies. In the absence of archaeological evidence, however, their exact purpose cannot be determined.
Cave 4 images
– Façade and Entrance
– Garbhagriha (Inner Sanctum)
– Shiva Linga
– Remains of the Northern Hall
– Rock-Cut Chamber in the Portico Wall
Explore More About Elephanta
– Elephanta Caves
– Elephanta Main Cave
– The Mystery of Elephanta Cave 2
– How to Reach Elephanta Caves
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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