Just off the coast of Mumbai, there is an Island called Elephanta caves. if you are a history buff, love nature or just don’t know how to spend a Sunday without spending much money just travel to this place in Mumbai.
originally this island was named Gharapuri Island but when the Portuguese came they saw a big idol of an elephant so they renamed this island Elephanta. most of the broken statues at this place is the result of the Portuguese invaders doing target practice at the statues with their weapons. when you visit Elephanta caves just be ready to spend a full day and walk a lot if you wish to visit this island. you can spend from an hour to a full day at this place. there are many things here to explore on this island so let’s get on with the list.
Toy Train
the first thing you see when you get down at the island is the toy train which is just a 500 meters journey and on a Sunday the wait time is more than you will like. I leave it to you if you want to travel by train. but I prefer walking as you get to see many shops and also get more sea view time. but if you don’t like walking that much or have elderly family members with you then the toy train is also a fun experience.
Caves of Gharapuri
There are a total of 7 caves on Elephanta Island, out of which 5 are having Hindu gods carved on the walls and 2 are Buddhist caves opposite to the 1st and the biggest cave. These are the main attraction of this island and visiting them gives you a vibe of going back to an ancient time. If you visit the island just for these caves then the total amount of walking you have to do is about 3 kilometres, but if you wish to roam around the entire island then the walking distance gets down to 8km total.
2 Cannon points
Before you start the climb towards the caves there is a crossroad and the road to the right leads to the cannon point. There are two big cannons mounted by the Portuguese for the defence of the island. You can visit this place and get a nice panoramic view from both these points. Note that both the cannons are at a different location on the same path and provide a different view from each location.
Elephanta lake and garden
From the same crossroads mentioned above if you turn left the pathway takes you to a beautiful lake that provides water to the local population. You can have a small picnic or just sit and relax for some time at this place. The garden is quite small and the best part of this is the walkway surrounding the lake. If you cross the lake from the walkway there is a small trail that leads back to the caves through the woods. Be careful if you travel there as there are snakes in the woods.
Gharapuri fort
Right before you reach the lake there is a trail on the left side that leads to another hill on the island and on top of the hill are the remains of the Gharapuri fort. The road is a bit treacherous and full of snakes. So I would advise you to skip this place If you are not a regular trekker or are not in a big group.
coast roads around the Elephanta Island/Gharapuri Island
there is also a fun trail to walk going through forests marshes and the view of the coast of Uran. it goes through a total of 2 settlements and 1 more hidden jetty the locals use to travel from Bhaucha Dhakka to Gharapuri Island. for explorers like me, it is also a fun activity to do in the time left on the island. This trail takes around an hour of walking so be prepared to walk a lot but you can always stop, take in the scenery and enjoy more.
Food options at Elephanta caves
there are around 4 5 restaurants on the island. and if you are afraid of the monkeys then this is the right place to have your food and then move on to exploring the island. The food in the restaurants and also at vendors is a bit on the expensive side. keep all your food water and especially your cold drinks in air sealed containers and away from the eyes of all the monkeys. The safest place to have food so far as I have found is nearby to the lake where there are not many monkeys around (at least when I was there). This is probably because there are not many tourists at this point as many don’t know about this lake.
How to reach Elephanta Island
For tourists to reach Elephanta island the ferry leaves from the gateway of India
By Air
Mumbai airport is the closest airport to Elephanta Island. from the airport the distance to the Ferry point is around 1 hour, but in Mumbai what time of the day you come and which day you come decides if you reach in that 1 hour or it takes 3.
By Train
The closest Railway stations to the ferry point of Elephanta caves are Cst station for those travelling on central and harbour line and Churchgate station for those travelling by western railway. you have to take a cab from this place to the gateway of India. make sure you pay by the meter for the cab
By Road
if you are travelling in a private vehicle the parking could be a bit of a problem but there are a few places to park your vehicle near the gateway of India, like the Wellington Fountain circle or at the backside of the Taj Mahal hotel. Both these places are 100 meters from the ferry point.
By Ferry
Now this is the only real option to reach the Island
The ferry from the Gateway of India starts from 9 am up to 3 pm
the cost of this ferry as of October 2020 was 225 for a return ticket. and the ferry from Elephanta Island to the Gateway of India starts from 12 am to 5.30 am. Try not to miss the last ferry and if you truly wish to explore the island go as early as possible, so you get time to spare and return before the evening traffic.
What is the best time to visit Elephanta caves?
The caves are not functional in the rainy season in Mumbai as the water becomes unpredictable to travel. most of the island inhabitants store food on the island for this period. the rest of the time at the visiting hours the weather is almost the same you can come anytime you wish.
Places to stay
Currently, there are no places to stay on Elephanta Island/ Gharapuri Island. you have to find a place to stay in the city of Mumbai.
Is it safe to visit Elephanta caves?
Yes, Elephanta caves are pretty safe to travel to, unless you consider the menace of the monkeys. it is always full of tourists and if you wish to enjoy there then go on a weekday the rush will be less at this place.
Can we shoot at Elephanta caves?
Video shooting is prohibited at the site of the caves but you can take pictures of the caves. on the rest of the Island video as well as photoshoot is allowed.
What is the time of visit to Elephanta Caves?
You can visit this Island from 9 am to 5.30 pm but make sure you reach the ferry on time as you have to walk all the way. Mumbai to Elephanta caves ferry services are closed on all Mondays and also in the season of monsoon.
things to note at this place.
1) Beware of the monkeys anything food like in your hands ( food, mobile small bag, cold drink, water, camera) and they try to steal it.
2) The tickets to the ferry are not the end of it.
*the tickets cost 225 INR for a return journey to the island ( as of October 2020)
*10 INR charge for toy train
*40 INR charge to Enter the Elephanta caves premises for Indian tourists
*600 INR charge to Enter the Elephant caves premises for Foreign tourists
3) Right after the monsoon season when this place opens. going off the trail you might come face to face with snakes. so take precautions and stay on the mentioned path don’t go exploring in the jungle.
4) Beware of the tourist guides trying to rip you off with an exorbitant amount of money. they just give you a brief history of the place and show you around the first cave and are gone later. they might charge you around 500 to 3500 IRN for their service. if you wish to know more history about Elephanta Caves the keep on reading.
A detailed history about Elephanta caves.
Elephanta which is anciently known as Gharapuri was the island capital of Konkan Mauryas. It is celebrated for its colossal image of Mahesa-murti (Trimurti) with three heads each representing a different form Bramha (the Creator), Vishnu (the Protector), and Lord Shiva (the Destroyer).
The Elephanta island is located 10 km away from the Gateway of India at Mumbai in Maharashtra. The cave temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was excavated sometime in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta kings, who ruled the area between A.D. 757-973.
The Elephanta caves are a conglomeration of seven caves, out of which the most important is the Mahesa-murti cave. The main body of the cave, excluding the porticos on the three open sides and the back Isle, is 27 metres square and is supported by rows of six columns each. The gigantic figures of ‘dvarapalas’ or doorkeepers are very impressive. There are sculptured compartments in this cave with remarkable images of Ardhanariswara, Kalyana-Sundara Shiva, Ravana lifting Kailasa mountain, Andhakari-Murti (slaying of Andhaka demon) and Nataraja Shiva.
The rest of the caves were not completed due to the rock not being as strong as in the first cave. Cave 2 was ravaged and restored in the 1970s. It has four square pillars and two small cells. Cave 3 carries on the mandapa architectural legacy with pillared recesses and inner chambers. The central door holds a damaged shrine, believed to be that of Shiva. Next in line is Cave 4 also in a ruinous state with a rambling verandah bereft of pillars. Though, there is a lingam in the shrine at the back of the structure. Cave 5 simply exists with no discernible reference to any tenant in history.
Cave 6 on the eastern hill across from Cave 1 is also called Sitabai cave temple. The porch has four pillars, three chambers and a central shrine. No adornments from the times gone by remain in the cave, barring a frieze with some lion figures carved on it. Cave 6 is significant historically owing to its conversion and use as a church during the Portuguese rule. There isn’t much left of Cave 7 to save for a small verandah which probably accommodated three chambers. The dry pond beyond Cave 7 was probably a Lake due to the presence of Buddhist cisterns on its shores. Close to the cistern is a huge mound identified as a Stupa that dates back to the 2nd Century BCE.
Many of the Idols you see at the Elephanta caves. are broken as when the Portuguese came to this island they did target practice on the idols from their rifles, you can still find bullet holes in the walls at a few places in the main cave. When the Portuguese first came to the Island they saw a big stone sculpture of an Elephant and gave a name to this Island as Elephanta Island. You can no longer find this monolithic elephant statue here as it was damaged in an attempt to move it to England. In 1914, it was reassembled by Cadell and Hewett and placed in the Jijamata Udyaan, a zoo and garden in Byculla, Mumbai, where it stands today.