The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. The name Ardhanarishvara (famous statue of Elephanta) means the Lord Who is half woman, Ardhanarishvara is also known by other names. The Gupta-era writer Pushpadanta in his Mahimnastava refers to form as dehardhaghatana. Utpala, commenting on the Brihat Samhita, calls this form Ardha-gaurishvara, the Vishnudharmottara Purana simply calls this form Gaurishvara.Buddhist caves in Elephants and the caves built by the followers of Pashupata cult (a Shaivite Hinduschool).The island and its resident caves received the name 'Elephanta' from Portuguese invaders after the discovery of a black stone sculpture of an elephant on the island.
