Elephanta Island is a UNESCO World Legacy Site and a well-known vacation place in Mumbai, around 10 km from the central area. It is otherwise called Gharapuri (meaning City of Caves) due to the stone-cut caves based on the island.
Elephanta Island Mumbai – All About Elephanta Island (History, Entry Fee, Images & More)
While a few etched caves are committed to the Hindu God Shiva, others are Buddhist Caves. The Incomparable Cave – Cave 1, is in the best condition among others, and it has been a place of worship. A large part of different designs, fine art, and engravings have been obliterated, yet anything that survives from the Caves merits a visit.
On a splendid bright day, you might in fact look at the Mumbai horizon from the Elephanta Caves, Gharapuri Island.
Engineering of Elephanta Island Caves
The Elephanta Caves complex is cut from strong basalt rock over an area of around 60,000 sq. ft. There are seven Caves on the island partitioned into two gatherings.
The main gathering of five Caves has Hindu figures, out of which Cave 1 is the most intricate. Wonderful fine art covers the stone walls, and the cave has a pillared mandapa alongside an enormous lobby. The mandapa is the home to Shivalinga, and the corridor comprises stone sculptures of Shiva in various structures.
The remaining four Hindu Caves are fairly little and harmed to many degrees.
What’s more, the subsequent gathering comprises two Buddhist Caves, alongside water tanks. The bigger cave in this gathering has, what resembles, chambers for priests, a focal sanctum, and a major lobby.
History of Elephanta Island
Elephanta Island’s history is as yet a secret. There are no known records of the formation of the Caves. Furthermore, nearby people give the credit to non-people and extraordinary powers.
Notwithstanding, in light of speculation and unearthings, historians date the Caves to be constructed anyplace between the fifth century CE and the eighth century CE.
Portuguese assumed command over the island during the 1500s and named it as Elephanta Island due to an enormous elephant sculpture. That damaged sculpture today rests in the Jijamata Udyaan Mumbai. The Caves likewise experienced serious harm during the Portuguese rule.
English Indian authorities put forth attempts to safeguard the remnants in 1909, and later during the 1970s, the principal cave was reestablished to its current structure. The public authority repaired different Caves as well.
What should be done at Elephanta Island
Among the Elephanta Island focal points are the seven stone-cut caves. Of this assortment, the gathering of five Caves is on the western slope, which additionally has an old Portuguese cannon. The other two Caves are on the eastern slope alongside a demolished Buddhist stupa.
Cave 1 is the biggest in the complex and it has been kept really mint. Inside the Caves, you’ll track down many figures and legendary carvings. At the cave’s north entry, the sculptures of Nataraja and Yogishvara will invite you.
The entry leads you into the huge mandapa lobby with different Shiva-related legends and the Shivalinga towards the west. On the wall, which faces the north entry, is a colossal model of Trimurti – a three-headed Shiva. You’ll likewise track down a model of Ravananugraha, Mount Kailash, Ardhanarishvara, Gangadhara, and the Wedding of Shiva among others.
Caves 2 and 3 are more modest than the principal cave and each has a mandapa corridor remaining on support points. The other two Caves on Cannon Hill are in ruins today.
Cave 6, which is on the Stupa Slope, is otherwise called the Sitabai Temple. It has an enormous lobby with three chambers towards the end. The focal one has a sanctum. Close to this cave is Cave 7 and afterward, a dry lake.
On Elephanta Island and Caves, you can likewise visit the little historical center. It is close to the ticket counter and goes about as the Elephanta Island guide. The historical center likewise displays data about other stone-cut cave temples in India.
Elephanta Island Entry Fee and Timings
Elephanta Caves complex is open all through the year except on Mondays. You can take a ship to Elephanta Island from Mumbai’s Gateway of India, and it requires something like an hour of cruising in the Arabian Sea to arrive there.
The first ferry leaves the Gateway of India jetty at 9 AM, and the last return ship, from Elephanta Island, is at 5:30 PM. You can purchase the return tickets at the ticket counter in Passage of India. Elephanta Island ship cost shifts somewhere in the range of ₹100 and ₹200 relying upon the boats your board. Furthermore, the ships leave the pier every 30 minutes.
Elephanta Island tickets cost ₹40 per individual for Indians and the nationals of SAARC nations. Residents of different nations need to pay ₹600. Alongside the entry charge for the Caves, you likewise need to pay an extra ₹10 to enter the town. From the pier, you can get a toy train ride for an extra ₹10 if you would rather not climb as far as possible up the 120 moves toward the entry door.
Aside from Elephanta Island’s extra charge, the consent to involve a camcorder in the cave complex draws in another ₹25. Still photography, however, is free.
Best Opportunity to Visit Elephanta Island
To investigate the Caves with no issue, it’s ideal to take perhaps the earliest ship to Elephanta Island, at around 9 AM. You can visit Elephanta Island whenever during the year aside from when the weather patterns aren’t great for the ferry services. They could close down with next to no notification while it’s pouring, or the ocean waters are violent.
Thus, the best time would be between October and March when the temperature isn’t high, and the sky remains nearly clear. Likewise, really take a look at your timetable for a little while in February, when the Elephanta Island celebration is on. It’s a two-day social celebration including local music and dance programs.
Time to Investigate Elephanta Island Mumbai
A visit to Elephanta Island comprises seven Caves, a gun, a shaky stupa, a few far-reaching perspectives on the coast, and loads of strolling. Thus, save something like two hours for the excursion. The to-and-fro ferry rides will consume an additional two hours.
On a bustling day or during the end of the week, you could likewise need to hang tight for 30 minutes on both of the jetties to board your ship.
Intriguing realities about Elephanta Island
- Elephanta Caves Island was before known as Gharapurichi Leni
- Travelers to Elephanta Caves needed to cover a temple tax, from 1872 to 1903
- Models were utilized as a terminating range by Portuguese fighters for target practice
- The elephant statue that gave the island its current name, is presently in Jijamata Udyan
- The site was given a UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1987