INDIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Treasure Island Hopping to Explore Elephanta Caves — Mumbai
Travelers are ever curious, dare to explore.
Elephanta is an island off the Mumbai coast (which is also called Gharapuri); the one in the middle is the biggest and most magnificent.
Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the labyrinth of cave temples represents India’s most impressive temple carving dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The Portuguese named the island “Elephanta” because of a giant stone elephant near the shore (this collapsed in 1814 and was moved by the British to Mumbai’s Jijamata Udyan).
How to get to Elephanta Island?
The ferry tickets to Elephanta are sold at a kiosk near the ferry point adjacent to the Gateway of India. There are two types of ferries: Luxury, which is less noise and decent crowd, which will cost you INR 180 (appx USD 2.30) for a return journey and Economy, a big boat, more crowded which will cost you INR 120 (appx USD 1.60) for a return journey.
If you wish to sit at the upper deck on the Economic or Luxury ferry (which is highly recommended), you need to pay INR 10 (appx USD 0.10) to the…
