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How to See Elephanta Caves On Your Own | Itinerary with Costs and Solo Travel Tips
About Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. They are on Elephanta Island or Gharapuri (“the city of caves”) 10 kilometres east of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
The caves are made from solid basalt rock and contain rock-cut stone sculptures, mostly in high relief, that show the syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist ideas and iconography. The Elephanta Caves were constructed in the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. There are two groups of caves: five Hindu caves on the western hill and two Buddhist caves on the eastern hill. The Hindu caves are larger and more elaborate, and they contain the most famous sculptures.
Elephanta Island was named by the Portuguese based on the massive stone image of an elephant that was once there, now displayed in the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Garden in Byculla, Mumbai. The Caves were damaged by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but they were restored in the 1970s. They are now a popular tourist destination and also used for religious ceremonies.
Is It Worth Visiting
The caves are truly impressive, thanks in large part to the fact that they were carved entirely from a single basaltic mountain rock over many generations. The finesse and intricacies of the caves will surely blow your mind. This outing will take you about four hours from start to finish, from the Gateway of India and back, making it a great day trip activity from Mumbai. And don’t forget the ferry ride, which is also a fun activity. You could turn the entire trip into a picnic by stopping for some local savouries and drinks that are available throughout the site. All in all, it’s a cool way to spend a cloudy Sunday, as I did. And I went solo. However, if you are in Mumbai for a short trip, you might as well skip this and do other parts of Mumbai using this nifty 24-hour Mumbai itinerary. There is also a 12-hour version. Also, if you are going to visit the Ajanta Ellora Caves later, definitely do that. Elephanta Caves is a baby version of the massively impressive Ajanta Ellora Caves.
What’s Inside
Upon entering the site, the first cave you’ll come across is the Trimurti cave, which is the largest of the five Hindu caves. This cave is dedicated to various forms of Lord Shiva and faces north. Inside, you’ll find a massive hall that is divided into five bays. The main hall of the cave is home to a Shiva shrine that has four entrances flanked by eight doorkeepers (dwarapalas), one on either side. They are impressive!
The four corners of the hall feature nine beautifully carved panels of Shiva, including the Yogeshvara (Lord of yoga), Ravananugraha, Shiva-Parvati Ardhanarishvara, Maheshamurti, Gangadhara, Kalyansundar-murti, Andhakasuravadha, and Nataraja Shiva (cosmic dancer). All the architectural features have either Chalukyan or Gupta dynasty influences.
The circular pedestal in the eastern open courtyard marks the seat of Nandi (bull), the vehicle of Shiva. The bull is no longer there, destroyed by the Portuguese invaders. On the eastern court, there is another sandharaprasada shrine surrounded by Shaiva–dwarapalas and an interesting panel of Ashtamatrikas (eight mother goddesses).
The other caves on the eastern hill of Elephanta are plain and have lesser ornamentation. Of these, two caves (Caves 2 and 5) are incomplete.
The first cave you see as you enter is the most important one and where you will spend the most time.
During your tour, your guide will point out the bullet marks on the statues. Sadly, many of the beautiful sculptures were destroyed by the Portuguese. It’s a pity that these marvels of human craftsmanship are not intact today, as it would have been truly awe-inspiring to see them in their original state.
How to Go
It’s best to start for Elephanta Caves early in the morning especially on a weekend when it gets really busy after noon, and by busy I mean really busy. It’s almost like a stampede. Take the earliest ferry out, which is just at 9 AM. You will reach Elephanta Caves at 10 AM, finish by 11:45 and can take the ferry back at noon. An hour or hour and a half is good enough to see the caves, get some refreshments, and use the toilets. so, that’s four hours from start to finish.
The ferry ride was an adventure unto itself. As soon as I sat down, I noticed it was shaking. I immediately realised I should have taken some puke-prevention-precaution for the hour-long journey. Fortunately, nothing happened.
However, on the way back, the ferry took much longer than expected and shook terribly in the choppy waters. Many of us were soaked. During the monsoons, it can be pretty scary, but ultimately I reached safe and sound. There’s also an air-conditioned version of the ferry that plies from Gateway of India to Elephanta port, but I preferred to sit on the regular ferry close to the locals. I enjoyed their gossip and chatting. It was a fun experience.
Note that there are 120 steps to the caves, but they are not steep. For those who cannot walk up, there are palanquins for the cost of INR 2500.
There are water taxis available from Belapur to Elephanta Caves which can be booked in advance online. Check Myboatride.com.
What are the Costs
Ferry tickets can be purchased at the counter right next to Gateway of India. It costs INR 260 (return) for Indians.
There is an INR 5 village tax as you enter.
The cost to enter Elephanta Caves is INR 40 for Indians (Take your ID along) and INR 600 for foreigners.
It costs INR 10 for the toy train ride (return) at Elephanta which you can skip.
A solo Indian traveller will spend around INR 315 for the trip, while a foreigner will pay approximately INR 875 without guide charges.
When to Go
The Elephanta Caves are open all year round, except on Mondays. The opening hours are from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. However, it is important to note that the ferry services to Elephanta Island may be affected during the monsoon season (June to August) due to rough seas. Therefore, it is best to check the ferry schedule before planning your visit during the monsoon season. The best time to visit the Elephanta Caves is during the winter months (October to March), when the weather is pleasant and sunny. I went in September and it was perfectly fine although humid.
A good time to visit is during the Elephanta Festival, which is a two-day cultural dance and music festival held every year in February at the Caves. The festival is organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to promote tourism and culture. Some of the popular dance forms performed at the Elephanta Festival include Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, and Manipuri. Popular music forms performed at the festival include Hindustani classical music, Carnatic classical music, and folk music. There are also art exhibitions, crafts demonstrations, and food stalls.
Doing it Solo
Although the crowds can be intimidating, visiting Elephanta Island is perfectly safe. To enhance your experience, you can hire the fantastic guide I did. Sameer charges INR 1650 for a group of 1-4 and can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Mumbai for an additional fee. If you’re interested, he can also show you his village. I met him at Elephanta Island and highly recommend his services. There are also popular tours.
There are plenty of monkeys inside the complex so don’t hold water bottles or food in your hand. These monkeys are pretty aggressive and will snatch them off you.
And Some Trivia
Did you know…
The Elephanta Caves are the largest rock-cut cave complex in India.
The Trimurti Sadashiva sculpture is the largest monolithic sculpture in India.
The Elephanta Caves are believed to have been built by the Kalachuri dynasty.
The Elephanta Caves were damaged during World War II by Allied bombing.
The Elephanta Caves are a popular destination for Bollywood films!
Where to Stay in Mumbai
My recommendations for Mumbai stays Near the Airport (Central but longer time to go to Town) High end: ITC Maratha | Budget: Ibis or Lemon Tree In Bandra West (Central. A colourful though crowded part of the city) High end: Taj Lands’ End | Budget: Bloom Boutique or Le Sutra In Bandra East (A convenient, quieter though more commercial section of the city) In Town (Colonial Mumbai) Fancy: Taj Palace | High end: Taj Wellington Mews or Trident | Budget: Hotel Residency Fort
- First, I go to TripAdvisor and check out top things to do, top places, and experiences. I use this to make a rough itinerary.
- From TripAdvisor I often go to Viator to book day tours. I love their user friendly platform and flexible cancellation policies. Compare their offers with GetYourGuide, which is great too.
- I book my accommodations in Booking because of their flexibility and that the bookings are easily cancellable. The mobile app is great and the genius discounts are on point.
- I recommend getting the Priority Pass. It gives you access to airport lounges and has helped me through many long waits. It’s definitely well worth the money.
- And I am literally always on Skyscanner. I get to see the best airfares, and the airline / third party providers offering them. Try the “From: origin city” to “To: Everywhere” option to ignite your imagination on where to travel to next.
