The Elephanta Caves is on a small island Elephanta just 11 km north-east of the Apollo Bandar, Mumbai. This is a small round island which is 7 km in circumference. The island is named after a colossal elephant found in the island, which is popularly known as ‘Gharapuri’.
After reaching the island one can either walk by a narrow road or go by a narrow-gauge toy train from the boat area to the base of the steps leading up to the caves. As the caves are located on the top of a hillock one has to climb up a flight of 600 steps to reach the caves. The island consists of two groups of caves: the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The caves we visited here are:
These caves hewn from solid basalt rock have been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god Shiva. The sculptures here not only huge, but also magnificent and beautiful. These caves have been declared a World Heritage Site.
The place is open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. To reach this place one has to travel by ferry or boat from the Gateway of India in the Mumbai. The journey takes 1 hour to reach the island by sea.
After reaching the island one can either walk by a narrow road or go by a narrow-gauge toy train from the boat area to the base of the steps leading up to the caves. As the caves are located on the top of a hillock one has to climb up a flight of 600 steps to reach the caves. The island consists of two groups of caves: the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The caves we visited here are:
These caves hewn from solid basalt rock have been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god Shiva. The sculptures here not only huge, but also magnificent and beautiful. These caves have been declared a World Heritage Site.
The place is open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. To reach this place one has to travel by ferry or boat from the Gateway of India in the Mumbai. The journey takes 1 hour to reach the island by sea.
great info and photos
ReplyDeletethanks
what a great place to see!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^=
Interesting place :)
ReplyDeleteElephanta fascinates the visitor with its incredible architecture and sculpture.
ReplyDeleteLOvely CLICKs
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting island to discover. Was it a volcano? (I ask because it is round)
ReplyDeleteOne hour? That's pretty amazing. As are the caves. And I'm assuming the huge elephant is still hanging around? I think I saw his trunk in with some of the other luggage. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are such a wonderful place to visit and photograph
ReplyDeleteIt looks as if these caves are worth the trip. The sculpture is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of an interesting place.
ReplyDeleteIntriquing post and photos about your world for OWT ~ great post ~ thanks,
ReplyDeletecarol and artmusedog
www.acreativeharbor.com
the boat is similar to the ones i saw in bangladesh. it's really appealing.
ReplyDeleteWow, it is an adventure to reach the caves. It is an interesting place to explore. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy captures of such historic and beautiful places and this one is certainly no exception!! Fascinating!! Thanks for sharing, Rajesh! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteYes , nice pictures , I like that interesting place ! Really gorgeous caves full of art! Greetings !
ReplyDeleteThis definitely is a wonderful place to explore some beautiful sculptures and carvings. Nice post, Rajesh.
ReplyDeleteWaiting to be see these caves Rajesh!
ReplyDeleteI have not visited this place, looks more like ellora that I visited. Nice captures..
ReplyDeleteSounds like a place worth visiting! Thanks for the information about it
ReplyDeletevery interesting; have a nice Tuesday
ReplyDeletemuch love...
always ENTERTAINING.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Very interesting, Rajesh! Thanks for this post! Good choice!
ReplyDeleteWil, ABCW Team.
Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBeen here a few years back and loved it!
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting place to visit. Great photos.Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures and a nice post :-)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, and great photos.
ReplyDeleteA boat trip combined with a world heritage site, perfect.
ReplyDeleteIndia is a fascintating country :)
ReplyDeleteThe caves sound very interesting to visit. The water taxi also looks like a fun ride. - Margy
ReplyDeleteI really wish to visit these caves once!
ReplyDeleteRajesh , I too have written about Elephants Caves.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Elephanta Caves. A very unique and interesting place.
ReplyDeleteIt must be an amazing place to see in person, considering how far back it dates.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the Thursday Challenge.
~Lindy
Lovely captures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures from Elephanta Caves :)
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing place - love the shot of the ferry with its many 'fenders' though!! YAM xx
I had been there once. I enjoyed the ride and the place. There were a lot of monkeys. Nice photographs.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures and thanks for the info :)
ReplyDeleteWent there when I was very young, now only the photos remain. Thanks for taking me down the memory lane :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. I'd been to Elephanta caves. It's a fun place.
ReplyDeleteLovely...
ReplyDeletehave been to this place .... but somehow did not like it much ..it was overcrowded
ReplyDeleteThe journey to the caves looks equally interesting!
ReplyDelete