Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, India
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10 Kilometers Off the Eastern cCoast of Mumbai
400 001 Mumbai
India -
+91 22 2414 3200(Tourist Information)
The continuous tradition of Buddhist rockcut dwellings and 'Chaityas' find their prime example in the magnificent rock cut caves of Elephanta. It was between 533-566 AD that these splendid caves were carved from the rock face. These temples lie nine kilometers northeast from Apollo Bunder. They are Mumbai's most famous tourist attraction apart from the famed nightlife. Elephanta Islands, in earlier days was called Gharapuri-the fortress city. It was named as Elephanta by the Portugese, after they saw a large stone elephant on its shore. All art in the caves is dealt in the Shaiva tradition, all related to Lord Shiva. The most famous is the impressive 'Trimurti' where God Shiva takes the form of Brahma , the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Mahesha, the Destroyer. The best time to visit is the weekdays, since the weekends are usually jam packed. Launches leave Apollo Bunder (next to Gateway of India) regularly. A guided tour is recommended. Guides are easily available at the Gateway. Call the tourist information center on +1 800 233 5050 for further details.
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Reviews
(see all)
Top 
Try taking a ferry from Gateway of India or one can also hire private yacht. Amazing place if interested in archaelogy or just to explore. Do v...
It is very nice, very close of the city and not that expensive the entrance. You can also go to the cannon hills in the island, there are many ...
Pretty! It's worth a trip.
Yahoo Travel Reviews
(3 Reviews)
Top
It is worth going...
This place is quite good, though most of the sculptures have been deteriorated, the view from the top. Monkeys can spoil your mood so be carefu...
If you have nothing better to do...
The elephant caves are probably worth a visit if you have a spare day and nothing better to do, but don't go there in lieu of visiting other th...
Cheap place to go
First you have to ride a farry for an hour. Once you get to the island you are hounded by vendors and beggars, but that is normal, you just hav...
TravelMuse Reviews ( 2 Reviews ) Top
Amazing India! Elephanta Caves - Named for the elephant shaped mountain on the Island
Best time to visit these caves is winter (oct-feb), from Gateway of India you get a ferry ride to the other side of the Island for INR 80 and Luxury for INR 120 return trip except Monday when the caves are closed, Last return ferry is at 6pm; When you board the jetty a toy train is available from the jetty to drop you at the Tax Collection gate (Tax collected from the tourists to maintain the caves and it's surroundings); you have to climb up about 50 steps to reach the entrance of the caves the best part is along side these steps is the marketplace where you can buy many antique interior stuff like stone or wooden chess, very popular wooden stick, jewelery all these are placed there from mumbai so don't just get carried away and look for something different; and loads of Monkeys all around ready to snatch whatever you carry in your hands; beware of these monkeys they can harm you; after reaching the entrance Indian residents have to pay INR 5 and NRI's to pay INR 250 per person to enter the caves. The entire caves complex is covered with an area of about 60000 square feet and it consists a main chamber and two lateral ones , courtyards and several subsidiary shrines also above the temple is the mass of natural rock. You can also see the canon on top of the hill which is a bit rusty, while coming down you can see the rooms where they used to store the gun powder used for the canons. There are many restaurants around there and you get what you get in mumbai but two things you should not miss eating are the roasted corn and the wild berries that the locals sell.
An amazing ancient rock-cut temple complex
The boat ride across the Mumbai Harbor to Elephanta Island is definitely worth it. The old caves have splendid carvings and although many have endured severe damage, they are now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The various scenes and divinities carved in each room are best enjoyed in their context with a guide. There are also some good hikes on the island to hilltops and old cannon sites.