One Day Trip to Elephanta Caves in Mumbai

I am sort of an adventurer.

I like to explore new places.

I don't get to travel as often as I would like but I love it.

- Edi Gathegi

Mumbai is a city abuzz with unending stories, and one of the best stories around here is carved in ancient rocks. So, if you are a traveller then you should visit Elephanta Caves in Mumbai. 

The Enchantment of The Caves

Popular belief is that the Elephanta Caves were hewn by none other than the Gods themselves, whereas legends point to a demon devotee by the name of Banasura to have sculpted these magnificent grottoes in honor of the Compassionate One! UNESCO’s certification of the Elephanta Caves as a World Heritage site is trifle as compared to Shiva - The Three Eyed Lord of The Three Worlds.

Archeologists believe that the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas were the dynasties behind the creation of these quintessential marvels of stone that honor the timeless essence of the Lord Shiva. However, historians contest that such small kingdoms would have hewn such Herculean celestial figures out of solid rock that laud Mumbai as a tourism destination!

An Experience Not to be Forfeited For Anything

The Elephanta Caves are a group of two caves that comprise the best of both Hindu as well as Buddhist architecture. Carved out of solid basalt rock, these cliff-engraved wonders are not to be missed at all. On the Southern wall of the cave, you would find imposing sculptural images of the Kalyanasundara that depicts the divine marriage between Parvati and Lord Shiva, Gangadhara that brings out Shiva as the holder of the Ganges, Ardhanariswara that shows the perfect balance of the masculine and the feminine side of man and Uma Maheswara that shows Parvati and Shiva standing side by side.

Also, imagine standing in front of a mighty statue of the enigmatic Trimurti Sadashiva that has three of the aspects of Shiva, The Creator, The Preserver and the Destroyer. Apart from these, the caves have more visual feast to reveal. So, get ready to open up your mind to the ancient Spiritual mysteries of India! Visit Elephanta Caves in Mumbai!  

Handle With Care

Many saints have attained “Moksha” or even enlightenment by meditating in caves. The act of entering a cave is therefore a sacred act and great care must be exercised to preserve them and whatever is inside them.

§  Reach the Gateway at the Southernmost tip of Mumbai

§  Tickets are available at the counter at Rs. 160. For children up to 7 years of age, the ticket is at Rs. 100.

§  First boat leaves the jetty at 9.00 am. Board the last boat at 3.00 pm.

§  First return boat from the island is at 12.00 noon. The last boat to return from the enchanting trip is at 5.30 pm.

§  On reaching the island, either walk or take the toy train.

§  Entry ticket is only Rs. 10

§  Also, the exteriors of the Elephanta Caves are teeming with monkeys that are the natural guardians of the cave, as Hanuman is also the Avatar of Lord Shiva. So, unless you try to provoke them, they are quite peaceful. 

§  Plan your excursion such that you can witness the sunset over the city’s skyline.

§  Return home to the dazzling and vibrant light show at the Gateway of India.  

Please don't forget to visit our top ranking post about top ten tourist attractions in Mumbai before planning a trip to Mumbai.