Elephanta Caves, Mumbai: ALL Things You Need to Know
Be sure to check out Elephanta Caves in Mumbai for an exciting adventure! Enjoy a boat ride and explore ancient rock-cut caves full of history and a rich cultural heritage.
The Elephanta Caves are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mumbai, India. With stunning architecture and sculptures, the caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer a unique insight into previous life in Mumbai.
Learn how to take the Elephanta Caves ferry and enjoy seeing the city from the Arabian Sea! Once you reach Elephanta Island, it’s a fun place to explore and makes for a perfect day trip. It’s a great activity for solo travelers, couples, and children alike.
I lived in Mumbai for over 6 years and this is one of the most popular places that people check out when they visit the city! This guide has everything you need to know for your first-time visiting Elephanta Caves.
During your trip, also be sure to check out these 15 Unique Things to Do in Mumbai for a fun time!
This post is all about Elephanta Caves in Mumbai, India.
Elephanta Caves Mumbai
Elephanta Caves History
The Elephanta Caves are an incredible look into Mumbai’s history and culture. The island was home to ancient communities and it’s believed that the caves were built between the 5th and 6th century.
There is a lot of debate about when and who were the first settlers of the island, but there were Buddhists and Hindus inhabiting the island for centuries. The island is formally called Gharapuri, but it is commonly known as Elephanta Island nowadays.
Elephanta Caves are famous for their rock-cut architecture and intricate sculptures, particularly some that are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visitors can gain a closer understanding and appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of the caves.
The caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. They have gone through many different stages of preservation and restoration, and are one of the most popular tourist spots in Mumbai!
Elephanta Caves Timings & Fees
Elephanta Caves are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. They are closed on Mondays!
The entrance fees are 40 INR for Indians and 600 INR for foreigners (about $7 USD). Children younger than 15 can enter for free.
You will also need to take a ferry to reach the island. A roundtrip ticket will be between 150-250 INR per person.
Best Time of the Year to Visit
The best time of the year to visit the Elephanta Caves is between October to February. The weather is relatively cooler and there’s no rain.
Summer is from March through May and it will be VERY hot! If you plan to travel during these months, just be prepared to embrace the heat and be sure to stay hydrated.
The island is also open during monsoon season from June to October. It will rain every day during monsoon so you’ll need to dress and pack accordingly. It’s also possible that the ferry services to the island will be stopped or changed if there is heavy rain because they won’t travel over rough seas.
One positive side to traveling during monsoon season, it’s very lush and green! But, I’d still recommend traveling during the winter months if possible.
Elephanta Caves Ferry & How to Reach
The Elephanta Caves Ferry leaves from the Gateway of India in South Mumbai. The boat ride of course adds to the adventure and makes for a fun time! It is a one hour boat ride between the Gateway to Elephanta Island.
The first boat leaves at 9 am and the last one returns at 5pm. A ferry leaves from Gateway of India about every 30 minutes, so it’s quite easy to catch one. They can get delayed or stopped during monsoon season though if there are heavy rains. The return trips from Elephanta Island to Gateway of India start by noon and also run every 30 minutes.
Round Trip tickets for the Elephanta Caves ferry are between 150-250 INR per person ($1.50-$3 USD). You can get an economy ticket or a luxury ticket depending on what you’d like.
The boat ride is really nothing too special, but it’s something different to try and will give you great views of the Gateway of India and the Taj Hotel!
Once you get to the island, you will have to walk about 30 minutes (including stairs) to get to the caves! You can also hire a guide if you prefer. We didn’t pay for a guide and I thought it was fun just exploring on our own, but it’s really up to how you like to travel!
Highlights & What to See
Caves
Cave 1 (Main Cave): This cave houses the most intricate and significant sculptures, including the iconic Trimurti, the three-faced depiction of Lord Shiva, along with various manifestations and depictions of Shiva’s stories and attributes. This is the most popular cave to visit and has the most stunning architecture.
Cave 2: While not as elaborate as Cave 1, this cave features some sculptures and panels depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. It’s smaller in size but still holds historical and artistic value.
Caves 3 to 5: These caves are less frequented by tourists as they are comparatively smaller and less adorned with sculptures. However, they still contain some interesting carvings and architectural elements.
Sculptures
These are the most famous sculptures at Elephanta Caves and can all be found in Cave 1!
Trimurti Sculpture: This iconic three-headed bust of Lord Shiva, known as the Trimurti, is the main highlight of the Elephanta Caves. It depicts Shiva in his triple role as the creator (Brahma), preserver (Vishnu), and destroyer (Maheshwara).
Nataraja Sculpture: Another prominent sculpture is the depiction of Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. It showcases Shiva in a dynamic dance posture surrounded by a ring of flames, symbolizing the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction.
Ardhanarishvara Sculpture: This sculpture portrays Shiva and his consort Parvati merged into a single androgynous form, symbolizing the unity of masculine and feminine energies.
Gangadhara Relief: A striking relief sculpture depicting Shiva as Gangadhara, the bearer of the river Ganges. It illustrates the episode of Ganges descending from Shiva’s matted hair onto the Earth.
Ravana’s Lifting Kailash: One of the cave panels portrays the mythological event where Ravana, the demon king, attempts to lift Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, showcasing Shiva’s supremacy.
Extra Advice & FAQ’s
What should I wear to Elephanta Island?
Dress comfortably and prepare for the weather! Expect a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Since it’s Mumbai, you won’t see many people wearing shorts. Some yoga pants or comfortable pants with a tank top or t-shirt are perfect.
If you’re visiting Elephanta Caves during Monsoon then you’ll want an umbrella and/or a raincoat if you have one! It also gets very hot during the summer months from March – May so wear lightweight clothes and plan accordingly.
Is Elephanta Caves worth visiting?
Honestly… depends. Elephanta Caves are definitely interesting to explore and get a peek into life for the ancient people who lived there. The boat ride is also a unique aspect to the journey, so if you enjoy boat rides or want the view then it’s worth visiting.
I actually think the Kanheri Caves at Sanjay Gandhi National Park are a better way to spend your time. The park is a beautiful oasis in Mumbai and it’s a stunning area to explore. If you are already planning to go to the Kanheri Caves at the park, then it’s not worth going to Elephanta Island also.
Learn more about visiting Sanjay Gandhi National Park with this Complete Guide for Travelers. I’d highly recommend travelers check it out, especially if it’s your first time coming to Mumbai. It’s probably my favorite touristy-place in the city!
Are there washrooms in Elephanta Caves? Is food available?
Yes! There are free washrooms for visitors.
There are also small food stalls and vendors around the caves to buy snacks and drinks. You can also carry snacks and water. Outside of the cave area there are some local restaurants as well.
Beware of the monkeys!
Like many tourist places around India, there are a lot of monkeys around Elephanta Caves. They aren’t afraid to steal your food if you take it out, so be careful of your belongings. Generally they won’t do anything to you, but it’s something to keep in mind and look out for.
This post was all about Elephanta Caves.
