Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves are situated on the Elephanta island, Gharapuri, which literally means, 'The City of Caves' in Mumbai. The region comprises of a cave network, which consists of sculpted caves. The Elephanta island is located in the Arabian Sea. There are two groups of caves: the first is a group of five Hindu caves, while the second group comprises of two Buddhist Caves. 

The Hindu Caves of the Elephanta island are dedicated to Lord Shiva and comprise of sculptures, which are cut from rock. These have been dated back to between the fifth and the eighth century. Solid Basalt rock forms the underlying structure of the caves. The caves were once painted, only traces remain today. The Elephanta Caves are a World Heritage Site are recognized the world over for their exquisite art work. The site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Since no inscriptions have been found in the Elephanta Caves, they cannot be precisely attributed to any date or patron. It is also believed that the caves were built by the Panda warriors of the Mahabharata and Banasura, the demon who was also a devotee of Lord Shiva. 

The Elephanta Caves are reached by a ferry from the Gateway of India in Mumbai and remain closed on Mondays.

This is the only landmark listed in Gharapuri. You will find the exact location of Elephanta Caves on the map above. If you need any other information on Elephanta Caves that is not listed here, please call 022 2204 4040.