Elephanta, Great Cave. Shrine containing lingam. 8th-9th Centuries A.D.

Elephanta is an island in the Bay of Bombay and was a capital city at one time, conquered by both the Chalykyas and Rasjtrakutas [sic], two of the earlier Hindu dynasties. The shrine built in the Great Cave of the island is dedicated to the god Siva and has representations of his many aspects, the principal one in this area being the lingam or phallus. Supplementing the image of the lingam, which is enshrined within the temple as the main object of veneration, are several colossal images of the god like those seen in this detail. Characteristic of this temple in both architectural and sculptural styles is the element of compactness present even in the most monumental of structures. Thus, the huge dominating figures of Siva do not break into the solemnity of the interior, though their size might warrant an intrusion in another surrounding. The plain walls and recessed doorways are the architectural counterparts to the monumental Sivas in this respecttheir function is symbolical without relying on explicitly narrative sculpture. -- Period of Hindu Dynasties