The Elephanta Caves near Mumbai are predominantly dedicated to Shiva, one of Hinduism’s principal deities.
The main complex is on Elephanta Island, also called Gharapuri, in Mumbai Harbour. Its largest shrine, Cave 1, is a rock-cut temple centred on a linga and decorated with major Shaiva reliefs. Shiva appears in several forms, including the cosmic dancer Nataraja and the meditating Yogishvara.
The most famous sculpture is the monumental Trimurti, or Sadashiva, a three-faced image of Shiva about 5.45 metres high. The cave also depicts episodes involving Shiva and Parvati, the descent of the Ganges, Shiva’s marriage, and Shiva’s destruction of the demon Andhaka.
The answer is “Shiva” even though the complex includes imagery associated with other Hindu traditions. Ganesha, Kartikeya, Parvati, Vishnu, and Brahma appear in the wider iconographic programme, but they do not change the caves’ principal Shaiva dedication. The Portuguese later named the island after its elephant sculptures.