Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
The ancient monuments of Elephanta are mostly- 1. Buddhist 2. Jain 3. Shaivite 4. Vaishnavite Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
Elephanta represents the maturity of Hindu rock-cut art, specifically focusing on the cosmic aspects of Shiva as both a serene teacher and a powerful destroyer.Explanation
The Elephanta Caves (Gharapuri) are a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to Lord Shiva (Shaivism). The Great Cave (Cave 1) houses the famous 'Sadashiva' or Trimurti relief. While there are some small Buddhist stupas on the island, the monumental art is overwhelmingly Shaivite.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The primary narrative panels—including Nataraja, Ardhanarishwara, and Gangadhara—are all centered on Shaivite mythology.
Logic 2: The scale and complexity of the Shaivite carvings dwarf the minor Buddhist remains on the island, making the site primarily a Shaivite sanctuary.