Don’t have the time to explore the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra? No worries, the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai are conveniently located and offer a similar enjoyable experience. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, these rock-cut cave temples are one of the most beautiful examples of Indian sculpture. Although this UNESCO site is near the city’s mainland shore, this Elephanta Island travel guide covers pro tips that can help you plan a more memorable visit.
All set for a trip to caves or still planning one? Keep reading this Elephanta Island travel guide from Mumbai to know everything, including their history, timings, ticket fees, and 7 things to know before you go there for a worry-free visit.
Elephanta Caves History
Before we explore the 7 important things for a memorable visit to Elephanta Island in Mumbai, let’s first know about the Elephanta caves history. These rock-cut caves were carved out of rock between the 5th and 8th centuries CE. These caves are a special place for Shiva bhakts and other Hindu worshippers. Additionally, these are prime examples of ancient rock-cut architecture and showcase the mastery of the artists of that era.
Before the Portuguese acquired Elephanta Island, it was known as Gharapuri, which beautifully shows a glimpse of several dynasties, including the Mauryas, Chalukyas, and others. In the 17th century, the British secured their rule in Bombay. The damage to caves due to natural forces was never restored during their rule. However, in the late 1970s, they restored this and chose to develop it as a tourist spot.
How to Reach Elephanta Island in Mumbai
The next thing that we’ll explore in this Elephanta Island travel guide from Mumbai is how to get there. The simplest way to get there is to take a ferry ride from the Gateway of India. The ferry ride will take you to your destination in nearly one hour and allow you to enjoy beautiful views of the Mumbai harbor. First, you need to take a bus or train to reach the ferry ride option.
Elephanta Caves Ferry Timings and Price
The Elephanta Caves Ferry timings and price are the next thing to discuss in this travel guide. Ferries from the Gateway of India start operating at 9 in the morning and offer services until 2 PM. These rides take nearly an hour to reach the island. From Elephanta Island, the ferry services are available until 5 in the evening.
You can do the Elephanta Caves ferry ticket booking in advance through a trusted tour operator or after reaching the Gateway of India in the morning. If you’ve limited time, you can consider booking a private boat, which will give you a more flexible trip with a quicker journey. The ferry ticket prices for adults and kids are nearly INR 260 and INR 150, respectively, for a round trip.
Elephanta Caves Timings & Ticket Prices
Now, in this Elephanta Island travel guide, we’ll discuss the cave timings and price. Firstly, you must know that these caves remain closed to the public on Mondays. On other days of the week, you can visit these caves from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the last entry is accepted at 4:30 PM.
Elephanta Caves tickets are affordable, and you need to pay no fees for children below 15, INR 40 for adult Indian visitors, and foreign visitors need to pay INR 600. You also need to pay INR 20 for a toy train ride from the ferry point to the cake and purchase the village entry ticket.
Top 7 Things to Know Before Exploring Elephanta Island
Now we have reached the main section of this Elephant Island travel guide, which covers 7 important things that every visitor must know before exploring the island and the rock-cut cave temples.
1. Be cautious of monkeys.
The monkeys inhabiting Elephanta Island can be aggressive, and you must take precautions to protect your belongings and avoid any negative interaction. If you’re carrying any food or shiny objects, keep them securely in a bag. Don’t make eye contact with monkeys; simply observe them without making direct eye contact. If a monkey comes near you, don’t make sudden movements, as that can startle them. Feeding monkeys is not allowed, and you also must not do it, as it can make them more aggressive towards visitors.
2. Cave 1 is Impressive
Next on this Elephanta Island travel guide is Cave 1, the main attraction of this beautiful historic site. This cave features many sculptures that tell several stories related to Lord Shiva. This 36 m deep cave has three gateways and houses the famous Trimurti sculpture. This 6-meter-tall sculpture of Lord Shiva represents him as the creator, preserver, and destroyer of all things. This cave also has a central shrine dedicated to Mahadeva. The panels here show Shiva’s cosmic dance, his marriage to Goddess Parvati, and many other scenes. The other caves on the island are also worth exploring, but Cave 1 is the most impressive.
3. Gun Hill Might Not Be Worth the Climb
The unmaintained and broken stone steps to the right of the entrance to the caves will lead you to Gun Hill. This place features an old British gun setup in an open circle in the woods and a big cannon from the 20th century. People there might be using the space under this for garbage disposal or storage. Even the trees there cover the views of the surroundings. You can continue walking the broken stone steps to the hilltop, where you’ll see another gun setup and 360-degree views of the surroundings. The hot, humid weather, blurry views due to the hazy pollution, and flies all through the path might make your climb uphill not worth it.
4. Expect to See Trash Scattered Around.
This is not only the problem on the Elephanta Island in Mumbai, as most of the places in the city have trash scattered around. You’ll see garbage, like food wrappers and plastic bottles, everywhere along the path up the hill, even around the stone steps above the caves. However, the stairs up to the caves are well-maintained and free from trash. If you’re bringing snacks and water bottles, make sure they are thrown away properly.
5. Be Prepared for a Lot of Walking.
To reach the Elephanta Caves, you’ve to cover most of the path on foot. From the ferry point, a toy train can take you to the jetty for an extra INR 10 charge. However, the rest of the path, featuring 120 stone steps up the hill, needs to be covered on foot. Many souvenir stalls along the stairway provide shaded areas to rest. You can hire some to carry you uphill in a chair, but if you really don’t need it, avoid using this service, as it might be offensive to be carried by men if you’re able-bodied.
6. Don’t Forget
Most of the time of the year, the weather on Elephanta Island remains hot and humid, so make sure to carry a water bottle in your bag. Always wear sturdy shoes, carry sunscreen, wear a hat, and wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs to both respect the culture and protect yourself from the sun. You don’t need to pack a lot of snacks, as packaged and fresh snacks are both available. Just make sure to bring enough cash.
7. Expect to Pay at Every Stage
The last thing we are going to discuss on the Elephanta Island travel guide is that you need to spend money throughout the visit. Firstly, you need to pay for the travel cost to reach the Gateway of India, then the ferry ride fee, which is separate from the Elephanta Cave tickets. You need to pay a small charge for the toy train ride that will take you from the jetty to the cave entrance.
Ready to Explore? Book Your Elephanta Island Tour Today
Elephanta Island and the caves are worth exploring, as they will help you get a glimpse of the ancient Indian sculpture. Just keep in mind the top 7 things discussed in this Elephanta Island travel guide. To make your visit to this beautiful historic site more enjoyable, book a tour with Noble House Tours Pvt. Ltd. today. Our tour package covers everything from transfer costs to guided tours and others, so you don’t have to deal with anyone for price negotiation. Contact us to secure an unforgettable visit to the Elephanta Island and caves.
