Elephanta Island (also called Gharapuri Island or place of caves) is one of a number of islands in Mumbai Harbour, east of Mumbai, India. This island is a popular tourist destination for a day trip because of the island’s cave temples, the Elephanta Caves, that have been carved out of rock.

The island is easily accessible by ferry from Mumbai, being about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the south east coast of the island city. Boats leave daily from the Gateway of India, taking about an hour each way for the journey. The tickets for these can be bought at the Gateway itself (120 Rupees for “luxury boats”), the first ferry leaving at 9 am, the last at 2 pm. From the boat landing stage on the island, a walkway leads to steps that go up to the famous caves. Along the path, hawkers sell souvenirs that may bought at a reasonable price. There are also stalls to buy food and drinks. Small monkeys play along the sides of the path, occasionally thieving items from the hawkers or trashcans. You may also get local guides.

Elephanta Island, about 10 km off the eastern coast of Bombay, boasts a series of caves carved out of the rock between the fifth and eight century A.D. The name (which has not been changed back yet to its ancient name of Gharapuri, Fortress City), was given by the Portuguese because they found a large stone elephant near the shore, which, alas, is now in Bombay’s Victoria Garden.

`Elephanta Island is also called Gharapuri Island or place of caves. It is one among a number of islands in Mumbai harbor, east of Mumbai. The island is specifically popular among tourists for its number of cave temples also called Elephanta caves, which have been carved out of rock. Elephanta name owes to the Portuguese, who captured the island from the Sultan of Gujarat in 1535AD and named it so for its huge sculpted elephant.

Elephanta caves have imposing examples of early rock- out architecture. Not of the high tenor as the Ajanta or Ellora caves, the Elephanta cave is a worth visit. The cave temple in Elephanta is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cave temple, situated some 75 meters above jetty level, closely follows the pattern of the Dumar Lena cave in Ellora. This temple was excavated sometime in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta kings who ruled the area between AD 757-973.

A veritable spiritual retreat the locale of the Elephanta cave temple turns into virtual carnival during the weekends when day trippers from Mumbai converge for merrymaking. Maharashtra Tourism organizes a colorful festival of classical music and dance in the third week of February each year. It is the time when the Elephanta Island has an otherworldly look to it with sonorous music in the air and classical Indian dance conjuring a surreal impression on the audience.

How to Reach Elephanta Island

Elephanta Island is about 10kms from Mumbai harbor. You have launches leaving the Gateway of India every 30mins from 9am. It takes around one and half hours to reach the Elephanta Island from Mumbai.