Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. They are on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres east of Mumbai in the Indian state of Mahārāshtra. 

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The island, about 2 kilometres west of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, consists of five Hindu caves and a few Buddhist stupa mounds that date back to the 2nd century BCE, as well as a small group of two Buddhist caves with water tanks.

The Elephanta Caves contain rock cut stone sculptures that show syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist ideas and iconography. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. Except for a few exceptions, much of the artwork is defaced and damaged.

The main temple's orientation as well as the relative location of other temples are placed in a mandala pattern. The carvings narrate Hindu mythologies, with the large monolithic 20 feet Trimurti Sadashiva, Nataraja and Yogishvara being the most celebrated. The origins and date when the caves wer.

Best Time To Visit
Winter months from November to February are the best time to visit the caves. Avoid peak monsoon season (June to August ) as the sea becomes unpredictable and ferry schedules get disrupted. Morning hours are better to visit this destination.

How To Reach Elephanta caves
From any point in Mumbai, catch a local train to Churchgate or CST station. From there you can either walk to the Gateway of India or hire a taxi. Alternatively, you can reach the Gateway of India directly through the local bus. On reaching the Gateway of India, you have to hire a ferry to the Elephanta Caves.

By Air: Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail: Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus being a train terminal is easiest to reach by rail. Many trains disembark at this station. However, if you are coming from other central or suburban railway stations, then you can reach through local transport.

By Road: Mumbai is well-connected by road that leads to all major cities in India. This rich city is served by major national highways. The iconic structure can be reached easily by road.

Elephanta Caves Ferry
Since the Elephanta Caves are located on an island, one has to take a ferry to the islands which make up for a joy ride in its own right. The first boat leaves from the Gateway of India ferry point at 9:00 AM while the last one leaves at 2:00 PM sharp. The ferry can cost anywhere between INR 130 to 150 according to the type of ride you choose. The ferry skimming through the waters of the Arabian Sea is especially enjoyable for children, and you can also grab some snacks on the go.

Elephanta Caves Timings

The Elephanta Caves visiting hours are between 09:30 am and 05:30 pm. The first ferry leaves the Gateway of India jetty at 09:00 am and takes you to the Elephanta Island in about an hour. A ferry leaves every half hour from the Gateway of India for Elephanta, with the last one leaving at 02:00 pm. The first ferry returns from Elephanta at 12 noon and the last one at 05:30 pm. The return boats too ply every half hour. When you board a ferry from the Gateway of India, bear in mind that after the one hour ride, you have a 30 minute trek up to the caves site, and another hour at least to explore the caves before you begin your descent to the jetty, which will take an additional 30 minutes. Plan your trip in a way that you do not miss the last boat back to Mumbai.

Stay at one of the hotels in Mumbai in the south, and plan a day trip to the caves.
Elephanta Caves Location
Elephanta Island, Gharapuri, Mumbai Harbour, Maharashtra 400094

Elephanta Caves Closed Days
The ferry service and the Elephanta Caves are shut on Mondays.

Elephanta Caves Ticket Booking
The Elephanta Caves entry ticket for Indian tourists is INR 40. Elephanta Caves ticket price is the same for visitors from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries. Foreigners, however, need to pay INR 600 as Elephanta Caves entry ticket price. The entry to the monument complex is free for children under the age of 15.

Entry Fee (Indian)	INR 40
Entry Fee (SAARC and BIMSTEC)	INR 40
Entry Fee (Foreigner )	INR 600
Entry Below (Children Below Age 15)	Free

Architecture
The whole complex of the Elephanta Caves is built on an area of 60,000 square feet and it has seven caves. The main cave was the Hindu place of worship under the Portuguese rule. It has a pillared mandapa, open porticoes and an aisle. The walls are carved out of stone and a number of deities make an appearance here. The main cave has a statue of Ravana lifting Kailash mountain, Shiva-Parvati on Kailash, Ardhanarishvara which is a manifestation of Shiva and Parvati in the same body, Trimurti which is the three forms of Lord Shiva, Gangadhara which is a cascade of the Ganges from the heavens to the earth, a depiction of Shiva's wedding, Shiva slaying Andhaka, Nataraja or a depiction of Shiva performing the Taandav, Yogishvara and the Shiva Linga. The east wing shrine of the Elephanta Caves has carvings on Kartikeya, Matrikas, Ganesha and Dvarapala upon its surface, while the west wing has Yogishvara and Nataraja adorning the caves.

Cave City Maharashtra 12:09 AM