Elephanta Caves, Mumbai

Name: Elephanta Caves
Address: Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, India
Telephone: +91 22 2204 4040

#6 among attractions in Mumbai

Unesco, Temple, Buddhist architecture, Top attraction

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Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Siddhesh Mangela / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Ms Sarah Welch / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Hera Khwaja / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Atulownsthis / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Sahil Ahuja / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Redtigerxyz / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Patrice78500 / URL

Facts and practical information

Carved into the basalt rock of an island in Mumbai Harbor, the Elephanta Caves stand as a testament to India's rich religious heritage and artistic expression. These impressive cave temples, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural life of ancient India.

The network of caves, primarily dating back to the 5th to 7th centuries, is renowned for its stunning rock-cut architecture and elaborate sculptures. The most notable among them is the 20-foot-tall Trimurti Sadashiva, a three-faced representation of Lord Shiva that depicts his three essential aspects: creation, protection, and destruction.

Accessible by a ferry ride from Mumbai's Gateway of India, the journey to the caves is an experience in itself, offering panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline and the sea. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a series of stone steps that lead to the cave complex, which consists of five Hindu caves and two smaller Buddhist caves.

The main cave, also known as Cave 1, is the focal point of the site, housing a grand pillared hall and a sanctum with a Shivalinga, a symbolic representation of Shiva. Intricate carvings of mythological narratives and yogic postures adorn the walls, reflecting the artistic and spiritual practices of the time.

The Elephanta Caves are open to the public and attract both pilgrims and tourists seeking to explore India's ancient past. The site is not only a place of worship but also an extraordinary example of rock-cut architecture in India. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes for the climb and to bring a camera to capture the remarkable artistry of the sculptures.

Local name: घारापुरी गुफाएँ Unesco: from 1987Coordinates: 18°57'49"N, 72°55'53"E

Address

Elephanta CavesMumbai India

Contact

+91 22 2204 4040

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Day trips

Elephanta Caves – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Sewri Fort, Sewri Christian Cemetery, Ferry Wharf, Mazagaon.

5.3 miNW
Archaeological site
Sewri Fort, Mumbai
135 min walk • The Sewri Fort is a fort in Mumbai built by the British at Sewri. Built in 1680, fort served as a watch tower, atop a quarried hill overlooking the Mumbai harbour.
5.9 miNW
Cemetery
Sewri Christian Cemetery, Mumbai
150 min walk • The Sewri Christian Cemetery in Sewri, Mumbai, India, was established by Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of Bombay as a location for European burials. The land was acquired from the Agri-Horticulture Society's gardens in 1865.
5.4 miW
Neighbourhood
Ferry Wharf, Mumbai
138 min walk • Bhaucha Dhakka is a wharf along the Thane Creek, along the coast of Dockyard Road on the Eastern seafront of Mumbai, the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The wharf serves as the port for numerous fishermen who bring in their daily catch. Ferry services link up JNPT, Uran to the east, and Rewas and Mandwa to the south.
5.3 miW
Neighbourhood
Mazagaon, Mumbai
136 min walk • Mazagaon, also spelled Mazgaon and Mazagon, and pronounced by the Catholics as 'Mazgon' or 'Maz-a-gon' and the Marathi-speakers as Mazgav, is one of the seven islands of Mumbai.
5.6 miNW
Universities and schools
Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Mumbai
144 min walk • Vidyalankar Institute of Technology is an engineering degree college affiliated to University of Mumbai, India and approved by the All India Council For Technical Education. It has been accredited by National assessment and accreditation with A+ grade in 2019.
6.3 miNW
Universities and schools
Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
162 min walk • Institute of Chemical Technology is a state-funded deemed university in Mumbai, India. The institute also has campuses at Bhubaneswar, Odisha and Jalna, Marathwada. It is focused on training and research in fields of chemical engineering, chemical technology, and pharmacy.
1.5 miSE
Harbor
Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Navi Mumbai
40 min walk • Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust or JLN Port, also known as Nhava Sheva Port, is the largest container port in India. Located in Navi Mumbai's Raigad district, this port on the Arabian Sea is accessed via Thane Creek. It's a nodal city of Navi Mumbai.
5.3 miW
Harbor
Mumbai Harbour, Mumbai
136 min walk • Mumbai Harbour, is a natural deep-water harbour in the southern portion of the Ulhas River estuary. The narrower, northern part of the estuary is called Thana Creek. The harbour opens to the Arabian Sea to the south. The historical island of Elephanta is one of the six islands that lie in the harbour.
5.5 miNW
Neighbourhood
Sewri, Mumbai
140 min walk • Sewri is a locality along the eastern edge of South Mumbai, in Maharashtra, India. It is also the name of a railway station on the Central Railway Harbour Line. Sewri was a small hamlet on the eastern shore of the Parel island, one of the original seven islands of Bombay. Sewri has a fort that dates back to 1770.
5.5 miW
18°57'58"N • 72°50'47"E
Chinatown, Mumbai
142 min walk • Interesting neighbourhood
1.9 miW
Island
Butcher Island, Mumbai
48 min walk • Butcher Island is an island off the coast of Mumbai, India. It has an oil terminal used by the port authorities to offload it from oil tankers. The crude oil is stored in oil containers on the island. From there they are piped to Wadala, in Mumbai where they are refined. This keeps the city relatively safe from a mishap.