Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, India, Feb 2008

Elephanta Caves are located on an island and just off the coast of Mumbai. The name Elephanta by which the Island is known originated with the Portuguese, after they found a massive elephant structure on the island in the 18th century A.D. This is now displayed in the Jijamata Udyan Gardens in Mumbai. The basalt rock carved Hindu cave temples of Elephanta are dedicated to Lord Shiva and date back to the 5-7th century A.D. These seven caves were originally decorated with paintings of which now only traces remain. The famous idol of the Maheshmurti Shiva has earned the cave international acclaim. the three heads are of Aghora, Tatpurusha, and vandeva with Sadyojata, at the back and Ishana at the top. Around the Maheshmurti in eight panels are sculptures portraying the relentless energy of Lord Shiva. Today the Elephanta caves are an UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India and visit this site. Maharashtra Tourism.

Elephanta Caves - The name Elephanta by which the Island is known originated with the Portuguese, after they found a massive elephant structure on the island in the 18th century A.D. This is now displayed in the Jijamata Udyan Gardens in Mumbai. The basalt rock carved Hindu cave temples of Elephanta are dedicated to Lord Shiva and date back to the 5-7th century A.D. These seven caves were originally decorated with paintings of which now only traces remain. The famous idol of the Maheshmurti Shiva has earned the cave international acclaim. the three heads are of Aghora, Tatpurusha, and vandeva with Sadyojata, at the back and Ishana at the top. Around the Maheshmurti in eight panels are sculptures portraying the relentless energy of Lord Shiva. Today the Elephanta caves are an UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India and visit this site. Maharashtra Tourism

Gateway of India, Mumbai (Bombay). The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Visitor at Gateway of India boarding the ferry to the Elephanta Caves which are located just off Mumbai harbour .

The architecture of Gateway of India as seen when taking the ferry to The Elephanta Caves.

Anu (Arundhathi) and Sandhya as we got onto the ferry for Elephanta Islands. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Anu (Arundhathi) & Suchit just after getting onto the Ferry to Elephanta Islands. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

A view of Gateway of India with the Taj Hotel as the back. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

View of Mumbai's Gateway of India with th Hotel Taj at the back. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

View of Mumbai's Gateway of India with th Hotel Taj at the back. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Simple interior of the Ferry. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Simple interior of the Ferry carrying visitors to the island. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Naval ships at the dockyard just off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Naval ships at the dockyard just off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Gomati - Naval ships at the dockyard just off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Cross Island. Naval facilities at the dockyard just off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Ferry passing in front of Naval ships at the dockyard just off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Cross Island off Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Ferry passing in front of Naval ships at the dockyard just off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Barracuda-1 floating off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Naik Jadunath Singh PVC floating off the Mumbai coast. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Ferry bringing back visitors through the murky waters off Mumbai harbour. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

As we approach Elephanta Islands, one can see the row of boats lining the horizon. The Ferry bringing back visitors through the murky waters off Mumbai harbour. The Elephanta Caves are located just off Mumbai harbour in the Gharapuri Island also called Elephanta Island - a name given by the Portuguese when they ruled over this area. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD. The caves attract many visitors who take an hour long ferry boat ride to reach from Gateway of India. The cave complex is a collection of rock-cut architecture with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.