Suppose you are in Mumbai for a short time. In that case, you can definitely visit a beautiful tourist place called Elephanta Caves, Which is 10 km from Mumbai city, surrendered by the Aerobic Ocean, and located on Elephanta Island. The Elephanta Caves is a famous tourist place while visiting Mumbai with friends and family.
We all know it by the name of Elephanta Caves, but in recent years, its name was Gharapuri, which means City of Caves. The Rashtrakuta rulers built this Elephanta Cave 1400 years ago. Elephanta Caves is on the Island and surrounded by the Arabian Sea.
In Elephanta Caves What Did You See?
When you enter a cave there, you will find the statue of Lord Shiva. Also, when you walk around, you can see them in a different form, like Shiva Ardhanarishwar. These caves were created by breaking and carving this huge mountain and seeing the beauty of these caves around worldwide visitors coming here to visit. There are 7 caves here.
Cave no 1 is bigger than the others, and this is also a famous one this cave has 26 pillars. The main attraction of this cave is three forms of Lord Shiva, which is Trimurti worshipped by Lord Shiva this statue is 24 feet tall. But actually, this is a Panch Mukhi Shivling: one face in front, two on the sides, one at the back, and another one hidden. When visitors come here, they only see the Trimurti Shivling. When you read a guide, as written over there, you will learn all about it.
The remaining caves are simple. You can only see the beauty of the structure and a Shiva Lingam. Also, remember in Elephant Cave, there are so many monkeys, so you need to be careful not to eat anything in front of this monkey.
Elephanta Caves History
In India, we all know there are several historical places that are highly magnificent and worth visiting. One such place is Elephanta Caves, whose history is truly splendid but known to very few people. The Elephanta Caves are famous for their large and unique sculptures of mythological deities
UNESCO included the Elephanta Caves in the World Heritage List in 1997. This cave is divided into two groups: the first part is related to Hinduism, and the second part is associated with Buddhism.
The Rashtrakuta rulers built this Elephanta Cave 1400 years ago. It is also said that after winning a battle, the Chalukya dynasty prince built a grand temple of Lord Shiva here. However, when the Portuguese arrived, they destroyed the old caves and built statues of elephants there. The name of this cave was changed from Puri to Elephanta.
Elephanta Caves Located
Elephanta Caves addressed Gharapuri, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Which is 10 km from Mumbai city, surrendered by the Aerobic Ocean, and located on Elephanta Island.
How to Reach Elephanta Caves
There are several ways to reach Elephanta Cave Island, but the best way to reach it is a ferry (A ferry is a watercraft that carries passengers) from the Gateway of India. The distance from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island is about 10 kilometers. If you want to reach the Gateway of India, first you have to come to the CST railway station, which you can easily reach by local or express train. When you arrive there, you can see the bus stop. From the Bus stop, you will get a bus. You can also take a taxi or walk if you want. It’s only 2 kilometers from the Bus stop to the Gateway of India.
From the Gateway of India, You have to pay around ₹250 for a ferry ticket. It’s about one to one and a half hours after traveling a ferry, the ferry will drop you at Elephanta Cave Island. But remember, the ferry will return from Elephanta Cave to Gateway of India at the last 6 o’clock pm, so try to return from the caves before 5 pm so you can catch the ferry on time.
Elephanta Caves Entry Ticket Price: You will have to pay ₹40 per person, and you also have to pay ₹5 for local government here. For foreigners (non-Indian nationals), the entry fee is ₹600. Children below the age of 15 can enter for free.
Elephanta Caves Timing
If you want to come to Elephanta Island on the day you come here any day, Tuesday to Sunday, but do not come on Monday because Elephant Island is closed for tourists on Monday, and the time to enter and exit is 9 AM to 5 PM. The first ferry leaves from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves at 9 AM. It takes 1 hour to reach there and returns by 12 noon. Every ferry departs at half-hour intervals from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves, and the last ferry leaves at 2 PM from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves, returning at 6 PM.
After the one-hour ferry ride to reach the island, you’ll need to ride for 30 minutes to reach the caves. Then, you can spend the remaining time exploring and enjoying the moment. But remember try to return from the caves before 5 pm so you can catch the ferry on time.
Best Time to Visit Elephanta Caves
The season-wise, winter season, from November to February the best time to visit Elephanta Cave. That time weather is perfect for enjoying the cool feeling and exploring. Also, in February, there’s a two-day Elephanta Festival during which you can experience the culture of the local Koli fishing community. They perform classical dances, music, and other folk performances.
It’s best to avoid the monsoon months between June and August, as heavy rainfall during this time can disrupt boat schedules due to rough weather conditions. Also, the choppy conditions might not be safe for sailing.
Hotels in Elephanta Caves
Actually, there is no hotel available on Elephanta Island. There is only one resort, which is the MTDC Elephanta Resort, and Chalukya Restaurant where you can enjoy a meal, but you can’t stay overnight. The resort opens at 11 am and closes at 5:30 pm, so you can enjoy a meal there. However, if you want to stay overnight or need a hotel, you have to come back to the Gateway of India, where you’ll find many options available.
Here are some nearby hotels near the Gateway of India
| Hotel Name | Address |
| Carlton Hotel – Behind Taj Mahal Palace | Florence House, No.12, B K Boman Behram Marg, behind Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba, Mumbai |
| Hotel Diplomat | 24-26, B K Boman Behram Marg, next to Taj Mahal Hotel, opposite Starbucks, Apollo Bandar, Colaba |
| Hotel Regal Plaza | SBS ROAD, COLABA Colaba, near REAGAL CINEMA, Mumbai |
| Bentleys Hotel | Electric House, 14, Oliver St, near Colaba, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai |
| Colaba Suites | Colaba | Mumbai | 5th, Radio Club Building, Arthur Bunder Rd, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai |
| FabExpress Colaba Grand | 3rd Floor, Manu, Radio Club Building, Kamal Mansion, Minoo Desai Rd, Colaba, Mumbai |
| HOTEL SHABANA | Colaba | Mumbai | 2nd Floor, Metro House, 12/A, Colaba Causeway, opposite Hotel Majestic Building, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai |
| The Fountain Inn, Fort | A , floor -1 , Plot-66 Office , Janmabhoomi Marg, Pitha St, Fort, Mumbai |
| Hotel Abad Inn | 1/40 , 3rd Floor, Kamal Mansion, Arthur Bunder Rd, next to Radio Club, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai |
| Sea Palace Hotel Mumbai | 26, PJ Ramchandani Marg, near Gateway of India, near The TAJ Palace Hotel, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai |
Elephanta Caves FAQs
Gate of India to Elephanta Caves distance?
The distance between Gate of India to Elephanta Caves is about 10 KM
How to go to Elephanta Caves from Gate of India
Best way to reach Elephanta Caves it is a ferry (A ferry is a watercraft that carries passengers) from the Gateway of India.
Elephanta Caves located in which state
Elephant Caves located east of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Gate of India to Elephanta Caves ferry price?
From the Gateway of India, You have to pay around ₹250 for a ferry ticket.
Gate of India to Elephanta Caves ferry time?
The ferry departs from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves from 9 am to 2 pm. It also returns from Elephanta Caves to the Gateway of India from 12 noon to 6 pm.
Elephanta Caves built by which dynasty?
Elephanta Caves built by the Chalukya dynasty
Elephanta Caves built by which ruler?
Elephanta Caves built by the Rashtrakuta rulers
