I am reading ‘Passage to India’ by E.M. Forster; well I am only halfway through it and reading it for an assignment. But I have to say it is a deep book that can make anyone think. Okay, I am not doing a book review here so I better get to the point. The point is the caves. Well, as the book says the Marabar Caves are identical and in circular shapes, exactly alike, but they are intense and beautiful. Which reminds me of the caves that the book just compares to Marabar caves, ‘The Elephanta Caves’.
I visited them two years ago and the Facebook just reminded me today with the memories that the social platform cherish. Well they are wonderful, showcasing the idols of Shiva and Parwati. The thing is I had no idea what the caves had in them and what it is to see there until I had actually reached. It was just a boring day in Mumbai when my friends decided to visit the place and honestly, I would have regretted having missed it.
It was a long and arduous journey through local trains, a ferry and then walking for miles but it was all worth it. It was a simple, old, silent place with tourists pouring in and out, but it had an aesthetic quality to it. And we were all awe struck with literally everything there, except the monkeys eating away all our food, snatching away from our hands. I now remember my phone being almost snatched away by one of them, thankfully I had saved it.
Any ways it was an exceptional visit and I got to know the history behind the alluring caves. It’s strange how sometimes we have all the history attached to a simple place. I had remained stunned to see the picture perfect idols of Shiva and Parwati. And despite the years the place still holds it quality. The place is old, very old for all I know but given a chance I would still like to visit it again. It was peaceful. The summer heat had not mattered when the place gave us its own cool shade. I had simply loved it.
I attach a couple of pictures here but I warn they aren’t the best and there is no picture of the inside of caves due to the lack of light.
PS: I will just add a couple of more pictures from internet so that you can see how the place actually looks from inside, in case you haven’t had the chance to visit them.
So of course the journey stars with Gateway of India
Yes, you get a toy train if you do not want to walk much.
The beautiful lake you can see from there. Sadly we can only see it in sun as the place shuts at 5 in the evening, or at least it did when we were there.
Another Nature picture, (I am just obsessed)
I say history as there are old weapons too.
And now some random pictures, some of which are taken from Internet for clearer perspective.
I hope you enjoyed reading this.
Much love.
Moushmi Radhanpara 
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