We all know that Mumbai was once a cluster of big and small islands that eventually got reclaimed over the years. Out of the many small islands, one island that remains to this day is the island of Gharapuri. Better known as Elephanta Island, it is a major attraction near Mumbai. In fact, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts millions of tourists, both Indian and foreigners each year. If you’re planning to visit Mumbai and looking for interesting tourist destinations here, Elephanta Caves must be on your bucket list.
Elephanta Caves: History, Timings, Tickets, And More
The History Of The Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves is located on the island of the same name in the Arabian Sea, located about 10 km away from the Gateway of India. These rock-cut caves are said to have been constructed as early as the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. However, some of the earliest archaeological discoveries also reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC.
Among the different caves on the hillock on Elephanta Island, Cave 1 is the most significant. It contains the iconic 7-meter high ‘Trimurti Sadashiva’ sculpture near its entrance. It is this sculpture that you’ll see on the official logo of the Department of Maharashtra Tourism! Along with this iconic sculpture, there are different representations of Nataraja, Yogishvara, Gangadharamurti, Andhakasuravadha, Kalyanasundaramurti, Ardhanarishwara, and Ravanaanugrahamurti that are also noteworthy here.
Before the excavation of the Hindu caves, it is a known fact that the island was a significant Buddhist center of learning. The remains of Buddhist Stupas date as early as the 2nd century BC. This highlights the multi-cultural history of this intriguing island.
Over the course of history, Elephanta Island was under the rule of a number of dynasties, including the Chalukyas, Mauryas, Silaharas, Rashtrakutas, as well as the Marathas. It was also under Portuguese and British rule. In fact, apart from natural causes, many claim that the colonizers taking charge of Mumbai were responsible for a lot of vandalism on this island. Moreover, the island gets its name from the elephant sculpture that was discovered on the island in the early 16th-century by Portuguese explorers!
How To Reach Elephanta Island?
There’s only one way to reach the island – by ferries leaving from the Gateway of India in Colaba, Mumbai. And to reach Colaba, your best options are by cabs, buses, or trains. Get down at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and board a bus or a taxi to reach the historic monument directly.
Alternatively, you can get a bus or a taxi from the Churchgate Station as well. Once you reach the Gateway of India, you must buy tickets for the ferry outside the main entrance to the Gateway. You can also buy refreshments here for a quick fix.
After passing through security gates, you must make your way to the end of the Gateway of India monument where you’ll be guided by the ferry operators towards the ferry. It will take about 50 to 60 minutes as it covers a distance of approximately 10 km in the Arabian Sea. You need not worry about the timings as ferries operate every day between 9 AM and 5:30 PM.
The first ferry from the Gateway of India leaves at 9 AM while the last one leaves at 2 PM, so make sure you plan your trip accordingly. On the other hand, the first ferry from the island leaves by 12 noon and the last one leaves by 5:30 PM.
Note that ferries operate every 30 minutes from the Gateway and the Elephanta Island so we recommend reaching at least 30 minutes prior to get your tickets booked.
Things To Do On Elephanta Island
The island is home to three villages – Morbandar, Shetbandar, and Rajbandar, with the Elephanta Caves being located in the Shetbandar Village. To enter these villages, tourists must pay a small fee and you’ll gain access into the lives of the people here. You’ll get a glimpse into the livelihood of these people and their cultural practices – this is a must-try experience here!
Besides, the moment you step on the island, you’ll notice that a toy train runs from the pier to the entrance of the base of the caves. And, let’s be honest, our inner child would hardly refuse the temptation to sit in a toy train every time we see it, isn’t it?
Along the path leading from the pier to the base of the caves, there are plenty of small stalls and shops to buy refreshments. You’ll get everything from vada pav and pav bhaji to water bottles and soft drinks and we highly recommend grabbing a bite here before you set out on exploring the caves. Once you are refreshed and rejuvenated, it’s time to ascend over 120 steps to reach the top of the hillock – and you must brace yourself for a climb!
On your way, you’ll come across plenty of souvenir stalls where you can buy anything from small idols, artefacts, posters, pots, ornaments, and even elaborate chess sets! And when buying these souvenirs, remember to bargain for a good price!
Once you reach the top of the hillock, you must buy tickets to enter the caves. If you wish to know detailed information about the caves, you can also opt for a guide here for additional costs.
Elephanta Caves Ticket Price
Round-trip ferry cost: INR 100 to INR 200 per person depending on the type of ferry and seating options. Kids under the age of 5 can travel for free.
Remember that buying a ticket to the ferry will not grant you entry to the caves on Elephanta Island. You’ll have to buy a separate ticket to enter the caves! Here are the ticket prices:
Entry fee: INR 40 (Citizens of India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka citizens).
Entry fee: INR 600 (Citizens of any other countries)
Free entry for all children under the age of 15.
Village entry fee: INR 10
Fee for toy train ride: INR 10
Note: Ferries to the island do not operate on Monday, public holidays, s as well as during the monsoon season (especially during a high tide)
Tips For Visiting Elephanta Caves
- The best season to visit these historic caves is between September and May. This is when the sea is calmer and the weather is warm and sunny most of the time. Ferries in the monsoon season are mostly non-operational, but we recommend checking on their availability before making a plan in this season.
- Make sure to carry an umbrella and a hat when visiting the island. The heat and humidity can be exhausting, especially if you’re visiting the island between March and May.
- Wear comfortable clothes and reliable shoes as you’ll be walking on foot for quite some time on the island.
- Keep cash handy. The network on the island might not be the best, so cash will come in handy.
- To avoid crowds and have plenty of time to explore, we recommend getting the first ferry from the Gateway of India.
- Carry water with you and stay hydrated when visiting the island, again, thanks to the Mumbai heat!
Summing Up
Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sitting in the Arabian Sea. With its ancient history, these caves attract millions of history enthusiasts as well as curious explorers every year. This makes it a must-visit tourist attraction when in Mumbai – a perfect one-day trip with your friends and family.
