In the Indian state of Maharashtra lies the wealthy city of Mumbai. It is considered India’s wealthiest city because it is home to most of India’s rich and famous. One can also say that it is wealthy in terms of heritage as the city is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of these is the Elephanta Caves, which is located on Elephanta Island, just off the coast of Mumbai’s harbor. Elephanta Island attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year and is one of the hot spots for travelers in Mumbai. The main attraction here really are the caves and they are meant to be representations of Hindu culture and religion. Visiting Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island will teleport you to another time as you will be mesmerized by its natural ancient wonder. If you’re interested to learn more, read on for our guide to Elephanta Island below.
Things to do/ highlights
Elephanta Caves
The main highlight and primary reason tourists flock to Elephanta Island is because of the island’s wondrous caves, Elephanta Caves. These are actually temples carved out of the rock formation itself and dates as far back as the 5th century. Located at the top of the island, there are caves dedicated to Hinduism and two caves dedicated to Buddhism. Though many of them are already in ruins, the beauty of the caves as an ancient structure still overpowers its ruins.
The most famous of these caves is the Great Cave, which is mostly dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. Outside you will be greeted by amazing views of the sea while inside you will be met with wall carvings and sculptures that portray tales and myths from Hindu culture.
Nature adventure
Elephanta Island is one of the islands off the coast of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea. A natural wonder in its own right, Elephanta Island offers an island adventure for travelers. You will be greeted with natural rock formations, some of which are the aforementioned Elephanta Caves, and you will also be met with panoramic views of the sea. Feel free to explore this natural escape, but keep in mind that there are certain off-limits areas to tourists. There are also three villages on the island, namely Shentbandar, Morabandar, and Rajbandar. The members of these communities are those you will meet at hawkers and stalls at the harbor that leads you to the Elephanta Caves.
Things to buy
The inhabitants of the three villages on the island have taken it upon themselves to take advantage of the influx of tourists coming to Elephanta Island daily. They are the people behind the colorful hawkers and stalls lined along the harbor all the way up to the Elephanta Caves. As for the items they sell, there are numerous things you can find. These include but are not limited to jewelries, accessories, paintings, and all kinds of souvenirs. Be weary though because you can find some of these items in Mumbai itself, while on the island it’s sold for double or triple the price. Also, try to get something that’s more native to the island rather than something you can easily find it at the city!
Travel tips
Overnight stay not allowed
Tourists should be aware that they can only visit Elephanta Island on a day tour. There are no tourist accommodations on the island so you have to be mindful of the time of your arrival and more importantly, the time you will depart. The last ferry that will return you to the mainland is at around 5:30pm.
Self-guided tours
It’s more advisable to go on a self-guided tour of the island rather than hiring a tourist guide since they can cost a lot. Alternatively, you can opt for the Ministry of Tourism’s Official Audio Guide called AudioCompass, which is an app that contains virtual and audio tours of many top attractions in the country. However, if you have extra cash to spare and would really like to know more about the caves, then simply approach a tour guide willing to show you around.
Get ready to haggle and bargain
The merchants on the island are well aware of the tourists coming in and they are excellent when it comes to selling their goods. Be sure to bargain first for the best possible price and make sure that your item is not overpriced. You might be able to find a similar one back in the city for a cheaper price!
Monkey business
Travellers should also be aware that there are free-roaming monkeys on the island. If you have a fear of wild animals, best not to go. Otherwise, if you’re brave enough, then simply carry on with your tour as normal as you can. The monkeys will not bother you unless you bother them first. If you have some food with you, try to be with a group of people so as not to attract the monkeys’ attention.
How to get there
The only way in or out of the island is through the Elephanta-Mumbai ferry. Head on over to the Gateway of India monument in Mumbai to purchase your tickets. Return tickets cost around INR 120 to 150 which is roughly 2 USD. If you want to sit on the upper deck, there will be an extra charge.
A one-way trip takes about an hour, so you will have time to enjoy the views during the mini cruise. The first ferry will sail out at around 9am or depending on the number of passengers. The interval of the ferries are usually 10 minutes. The last trip in the afternoon is around 5:30pm, and it is very important to not forget this because overnight stay on the island is prohibited.
From the harbor, it’s a long way up to Elephanta Caves. Some would take the hike while others would opt for the mini-train that can take you to the peak of the caves.
How to get tickets
Admission to the attraction is purchased on site only. For Indian citizens, the charge is 40 INR, which is less than 1 USD, and for foreign nationals, the charge is 600 INR, which is roughly 8 USD.
Tourists should also be aware of the additional tourist tax. 10 INR is charged for adults while 5 INR is charged for children. You may also be required an additional charge for tourist guides, which tend to be more expensive.
Elephanta Island information
Elephanta Island
Address: Mumbai, India
Cost: Less than 1 USD (Indian citizens); 8 USD (Foreigners)
Department of tourism: Visit Maharashtra
Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai - Klook
Duration: 5hrsDuration
History
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