Elephanta Caves are situated on Elephanta Island, locally known as Gharapuri - the city of caves. The caves contain sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva and Buddha. These rock-cut sculptures are estimated to be carved between 5th to 8th centuries and the identity of builders is still disputed. In 1987 UNESCO recognized the place as a World Heritage Site and said that - “the caves represent a masterpiece of human creative genius” and “bear a testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared.”