Elephanta Caves Mumbai

A renowned Unesco World Heritage Site, the Elephanta Caves are one of Mumbai’s most spectacular temple sites, boasting precious collections of Hindu temple art. In fact, Elephanta’s cave-temples date back to 600 AD, named after the elephant statue that once stood near the island’s shore.

To start off your day of discovery, we’ll take you to the busy Sassoon Docks, one of Mumbai’s oldest ports. Then, we’ll explore the beauty of the Afghan Church (one of our favourite churches in South Mumbai). Finally, we’ll hop on a ferry to witness the majestic religious wonders housed within Elephanta Caves.

On Elephanta Island, you’ll wander through a web of subterranean caves. These caves hold highly prized statues of Shiva and other deities, as well as shrines, pillars, courtyards and halls, that are all carved out of rock. Listen to the tales and stories behind these sites. We’ll end the day with a delicious lunch with a local family.

History
A lack of archeological evidence means it's uncertain who exactly made the Elephanta Caves or when. Based on other similar caves in the region, the Elephanta Caves are widely thought to have been constructed sometime around the 6th century AD, either by king Krishnaraja of the Kalachuri Dynasty or by Chalukya Dynasty rulers. These dynasties were established in the region after the decline of the Vakataka Dynasty in the 6th century.

The island was called Elephanta Island by the Portuguese in the 16th century after they acquired it from the Gujarat Sultanate and discovered a sizeable rock-cut stone elephant statue there (the figure is now on display outside the Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai).

By the time the British gained control of Bombay in the 17th century, the caves had become quite damaged. Large sections had been either vandalized or ruined by natural forces. However, as Bombay grew, Hindus returned to worship at the caves. The caves weren't restored until the late 1970s, though, when the Indian government decided to make them a tourist site. They're currently managed by the Archeological Survey of India.

How to Get There
Elephanta Island is reached in about an hour by boat from the Gateway of India in Colaba. The boats depart every half hour or so from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are two options: luxury or ordinary. The newer luxury boats are hardly luxurious, but they're a bit more comfortable than the standard ones. Expect to pay about 200 rupees ($2.79) per person for the round trip. Tickets can be purchased from the official booking office counter near the departure point. For 10 rupees extra, payable aboard the boat, you can sit on the upper deck.
It's recommended for the best views (including the iconic Taj Palace Hotel and Gateway of India in one frame).

Once you arrive at the jetty on the island, you'll need to walk up about 120 steps to reach the entrance of the caves. Alternatively, it's possible to take the toy train (10 rupees per person) or be carried on a chair tied to two wooden poles (2,000 rupees per person). Climbing some stairs is unavoidable, though, so do consider this.