Elephanta Caves

4.3

Location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Estimated Visiting Time: 2 hours

The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island and also known as the Island of Gharapuri, which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. This small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past.

Attraction

These Caves emerged from a long artistic tradition, but demonstrate refreshing innovation. The combination of aesthetic beauty and replete with respondent Rasas, sculptural art, reached an apogee at the Elephanta Caves. Hindu spiritualistic beliefs and symbology are greatly utilized in the overall planning of the caves.

History

These caves’ archaeological remains reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC. These rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The most important of the caves is the great Cave 1, which measures 39 meters from the front entrance to the back.

Inside/Outside Views

This cave on the western hill closely resembles Dumar Lena’s cave at Ellora in the past. The main body of the cave, excluding the porticos on the three open sides and the back aisle, is 27 meters square and is also supported by rows of six columns each.

Opening Hours

9.00 am to 5.30 pm is the visiting time of this place and closed on Mondays.

Entry & Others Fees

₹ 10 for Indians and SAARC nationals
₹ 250 for foreign nationals

free for children under 15 years of age

Near Restaurants

Elephanta Port Restaurant & Bar
Elephanta Restaurant
Rajmahal Restaurant
Santosh Restaurant
MTDC Elephanta Resort and Chalukya Restaurant

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By air: Mumbai international airport is the nearby airport to this place.

By rail: Mumbai railway station is the nearby railway from this place. You can easily reach there by rail.

By road: By road is the best way to reach this place. You can take a bus to firstly reach Mumbai. Otherwise, you can hire a car or cab to reach this place directly.