The boy was playing in and out of the empty, dimly lit rock cave many times
Just an hour by ferry from the Gateway of India, Elephanta Island sits in the middle of Mumbai’s harbor, home to a magnificent complex of UNESCO-listed rock-cut caves. Originally built as sacred temples dedicated to Shiva, the site has since transformed into a fully tourist-centric destination—where visitors come not to worship, but to explore.
In India, sacred spaces are almost always marked by offerings—garlands of marigolds, fresh flowers, or incense. Yet, here in Elephanta’s caves, there are none. Not a single flower is left in devotion, a stark contrast to the vibrant rituals seen in active Hindu temples. The silence of the space suggests that this place exists purely as a historical relic, rather than a living religious site. More than a temple, it now feels like the ruins of an ancient theme park.
Inside the dimly lit caves, tourists move through with smartphones in hand, capturing photos of the intricate sculptures, while children run freely, treating the cavernous space as their personal playground.
The boy in the sunglasses from my photograph was one of them. He darted in and out of the caves, playing without a care in the world. Watching him, I couldn’t help but feel that this UNESCO site now serves two roles at once—a monument to history and, at the same time, a modern-day tourist attraction where the past and present coexist in a strange yet natural harmony.
| Mar 2025 INDIA PEOPLE | |
| BOY CAP MUMBAI RUINS SUNGLASS WORLD HERITAGE SITE |
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PHOTO DATA
No
12828
Shooting Date
May 2024
Posted On
March 8, 2025
Modified On
March 9, 2025
Place
Mumbai, India
Genre
Street Photography
Camera
SONY ALPHA 7R V
Lens
ZEISS BATIS 2/40 CF
