The Victorian Sex Explorer
Gallery tour
Elephanta Island (1/10)
Rupert Everett was shown round the caves of Elephanta Island, near Mumbai, by Shobita Punja, an expert in Hindu eroticism.
Elephanta Island (1/10)
These massive cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva, are more than 1,000 years old. Shiva is depicted in temples across India in many guises. In Elephanta he appears as half male and half female, embodying the idea that everyone contains a balance of both. A common portrayal of Shiva is the lingam, usually a cylindrical stone several feet tall, with a rounded top, standing in a circular base, representing the male sexual organ and demonstrating the procreative power of God.
These massive cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva, are more than 1,000 years old. Shiva is depicted in temples across India in many guises. In Elephanta he appears as half male and half female, embodying the idea that everyone contains a balance of both. A common portrayal of Shiva is the lingam, usually a cylindrical stone several feet tall, with a rounded top, standing in a circular base, representing the male sexual organ and demonstrating the procreative power of God.
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