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devat81 Says: The Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island. There are two groups of caves, the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, dedicated to...
devat81 Says: On the western side of the cave entrance there is a trail which you need to hike to the top of island till Cannon Hill. The hiking is little steeper and the steps are broken at places so be careful while climbing up. At the top there is a large old Cannon and some ruins....
devat81 Says: One thing that remained unchanged in Elephanta Island over the years is the lack of quality restaurant. There are few restaurants located on the trail to the caves which promise to serve Indian snacks + main courses. But due to lack of basics they are jack for nothing and...
A food joint downhill: A food joint downhill
anand_indian Says: Suggestion Folks> Try grabbing the food on your return. This makes the food even better after a long tiresome walk.> While coming down you can see few food joints on the left hand side which are protected by nets (to avoid monkeys) and can be a few options to fill...
devat81 Says: To get to Elephanta Caves, you will need to go to the Gateway of India. From there, get the tickets for the launch at the Maharastra tourism development corp (MTDC) at the entrance of Gateway. The journey takes 1 hour to reach the island by sea. The launch (boat) leaves from...
devat81 Says: At the foot of the Caves Hill there are Rental Palanquins, which are are wooden chairs in order to carry you up the steps till to the Cave entrance. The steps are steep and for an aged person might not be feasible to hike those steps. Typically they charge something around...
Roadside Stalls: Souvenirs, Images as Gift
devat81 Says: Comparing to my last visit to Elephanta Island there has been a dramatic change in the way now souvenir stalls are being built up along the steps towards the cave. Downside of this rapid growth of shops have reduced the walking aisle and it makes difficult to walk or pass...
Shopping on Elephanta Island: Local Indian artefacts
MM212 Says: A visit to Elephanta Island affords the visitor a good opportunity to shop for souvenirs and Indian artefacts. The long (uphill) walk from the shore to the caves is lined with sellers of various artefacts from all over India. The selection is excellent and the items are of a...
MM212 Says: Three local villages exist on Elephanta Island, which has a total of 1600 permanent population. One of those villages is located by the pier where the ferries from Bombay arrive. This colourful village (seen in the attached photographs) seems to depend somewhat on tourism,...
devat81 Says: Monkeys are part of South East Asian lifestyle specially in an area which attracts tourists. They are adaptable to urban condition and certainly prefers to concentrate in the proximity of temples, monuments & caves as they get supply of food. Elephanta Caves are no exception...
devat81 Says: At the entrance of the Cave complex, just before the ticket counter there would be few local ladies around who would see bottled waters but insist on being photographed. As soon as you take their snap they would demand money for the same. Politely say No and get out of the...
MM212 Says: A few things I recommend bringing with you to Elephanta: 1- A good book to read on the hour-long ferry ride.2- A hat if you're sensitive to the sun.3- A bottle of water (although drink-sellers are abundant on the island).4- A snack or a packed lunch (again, a few...
devat81 Says: The panel carving in the west niche opposite Yogishvara depicts Shiva as Nataraja performing the Tandava (cosmic dance). Shiva wears well-decorated headgear and the image displays a dance pose and had ten arms most of them are damaged. A tall figurine of Parvati stands to...
devat81 Says: The most important sculpture in the caves is the Trimurti, carved in relief at the back of the cave facing the entrance, described as a "masterpiece of Gupta-Chalukyan art. It is also known as Trimurti Sadashiva and Maheshmurti. The image, 6.1 m in height, depicts a...
devat81 Says: SThere is a 17 m wide courtyard that is accessible by entering the eastern part of the main cave. A temple on the southern wall of the court depicts a well-preserved fresco. The circular pedestal seen in the courtyard in front of the Shiva's shrine near the east end, in the...
devat81 Says: The west wing, entered through the main cave, is in a semi-ruined state. It has a small chapel and a cistern enclosed within the pillared cave, which is believed to be Buddhist. Entering through the back door of the portico is a cave enshrined with a multifaceted Shiva Linga...
devat81 Says: The Main Cave shrine is a free-standing square cell made of stone, with entrances on each of its sides. Each door is flanked by two gate keepers (dwarapalas). The Linga, the symbol of Shiva in union with the Yoni, the symbol of Parvati together symbolize the supreme unity...
devat81 Says: The Gangadhara image to the right of the Trimurti, is an ensemble of divinities assembled around the central figures of Shiva and Parvati, the former bearing river Ganges as she descends from the heaven. From the crown, a cup with a triple-headed female figure, representing...
devat81 Says: Beside Shiva Slaying Andhaka on the south wall Panel depicting the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati with Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, and other divinities in attendance.The niche image carved is an ensemble of divinities assembled around the central figures of Shiva and...
devat81 Says: The engraved panel in considered to be a unique sculpture in the north end of the main cave, which shows Bhairava, a frightful form of Shiva. His facial expression is of intense anger discerned from his furrowed brow, swollen eyes, and tusks. The smaller broken image Andhaka...
Plan a Elephanta Island vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Elephanta Island locals
Upon entering the Main Cave, to the visitor's left hand side is an elaborately carved panel depicting Shiva (a major Hindu god) as the Lord of the Yogi...
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The Elephanta Caves Really Rock!!!
The Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are one of the two sites in Mumbai city, the second one being the erstwhile VT or Victoria Terminus Building now rechristened the Chattrapati...
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Designated as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, Elephanta Island is home to cave temples dating from 450 AD to 750 AD. These caves were first carved by Buddhists, but as Buddhism declined in the......
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Elephanta Island is one of a number of islands in east of Mumbai Harbour. This island is a popular tourist destination for the island's cave temples, the Elephanta Caves, that have been carved out of...
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Elephanta Island is found around 10 kilometres off the eastern shore of Mumbai (Bombay) in the Arabian Sea and it will take you around an hour to reach it by ferry. The Island was originally named...
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Elephanta Island - Don't miss whilst in Mumbai!
Elephanta Island is located about 10km north-east of the Gateway of India and is reached by taking a ferry from the Gateway. The island is home to some marvellous cave temples which are thought to...
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