The other name of Elephanta is:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The island that hosts the magnificent Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mumbai Harbour, is known by the local or historical name **Dharapuri**. This name is an established variant of Gharapuri, which literally means "the city of caves" (Ghara-puri). The name directly references the island's most prominent feature: the extensive, rock-cut Shaivite and Buddhist cave temples. The current name, 'Elephanta,' was given by the Portuguese explorers in the 16th century after they found a massive stone sculpture of an elephant on the island, but Dharapuri remains the indigenous and historically accurate alternative.

The incorrect option is 1: Gusai.
'Gusai' is not an alternative name for the Elephanta Caves. This term is a variant of 'Gosai' or 'Goswami,' which is a Hindu religious title or surname. It is primarily used to denote a priest, ascetic, or a spiritual master who has achieved control over the senses. This designation relates to an individual's religious status, not to the geographical name of a major rock-cut temple complex in Maharashtra.

The incorrect option is 3: Manglesh.
'Manglesh' is not a recognized historical or local name for the island. No significant archaeological or textual evidence connects this specific name to the Elephanta Island or its famous cave temples. While the caves are historically linked to various Deccan dynasties, the name 'Manglesh' does not appear in the context of their geographical or formal naming conventions.

The incorrect option is 4: Apsara.
'Apsara' is a term from Hindu and Buddhist mythology and refers to a female spirit of the clouds and heavens, essentially a celestial nymph or dancer. While figures from Hindu mythology, like gods and goddesses, are extensively depicted in the sculptures of Elephanta, 'Apsara' is a mythological character, not an alternative geographical or historical name for the island itself.