Gharapuri( Elephanta caves island)
• Gharapuri island is a UNESCO world heritage site.
which is dedicated to the Hindu god “lord shiva “, which is also known as Elephanta caves that are located in “Mumbai” city of Maharashtra, India.
•The Elephanta caves are located on an island which is surrounded by the Arabian sea.
• There are many caves in Elephanta island which are the main attraction of large number of tourists visiting in this place, due to which it is also known as the city of caves.
# Attractions/Adventures of this island (Elephanta cave)
1.The Mini Toy Train:
• when you reached the island from the ferry to the jetty point .The Elephanta caves are 800 meters away from the jetty point. To skip the tired walk, you can bring a mini train for a convenient smooth ride and to make your journey more interesting, the cost of Toy Train is Rs. 18/- per person.
• For physically challenged and aged persons, palki facility is also available there.
• The toy train will drop you in the market area from where it takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach the elephanta cave.
2. Tax:
• As soon as they reach on the way, the visitors have to pay the tax of Gram Panchayat Gharapuri of Rs 5/- per person.
Income tax web
3.The Market Area:
• If you want to go through walking be ready for a mini adventure and please carry some water and food supplies with you for the way and try to stay as hydrated as possible.
• One important thing is to beware of monkeys.
• On the way you will find a market area where you will find various shops from where you can buy gift items, clothing, hats. From there you will have to go by walking and climb 120 steps to reach the Elephanta Cave.
4.The Caves Temple:
• Once you reach the elephant cave,you have to buy the tickets to explore the caves.
The first cave is main temple cave that are dedicated to hindu god “shiva”. There is a main sculpture which is a “trimurti” in which there are three gods, the lord “Shiva, Yogeshwar and Nataraj”.
Again, in this cave there are 5 Hindu caves and another Buddha stupa’s and stone sculpture which is hand carved.
-This place is back before 420 to 450 years ago.
5. The Sabha Hall:
•.There is also a Sabha hall in these caves where meetings were held at that time. There is a structure here in which the voice echoes. In every corner many unique designs have been made from stones. Fine pillars have been made by carving stones which gives this place a character and looks attractive.
6.The hotel and restaurant:
• There are various hotel and restaurant available in elephanta island where you can get rooms but they don’t allow night stays, these are the day rooms.
– If you want to rest for some while so you can go and pick a room, otherwise you can go for lunch.The food was average but the view was the star of the show.
# How to reach Elephanta caves ?
•Firstly, you get to the populous city of India, “Mumbai”. On Daily basis, various of flight are operated to Mumbai as well as train also.
• [By Taxi]-Once you reach Mumbai then the most convenient way is that you can take a taxi/bus to reach the gateway of India.
•[By train ]-Another option is after coming to Mumbai you can catch a local train to CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal) or to Churchgate station. After reaching CST or Churchgate station walk to the Gateway of India.
•Elephanta is located on an island where the only option to go there is ferry.
Gateway of India is a place from where ferry operates towards Elephanta caves.
•You will get many ferry services from the ferry ticket counter next to Gateway of India from where you can buy tickets to go to Elephanta.
• board the ferry ,It will take about 1 hour to reach Elephanta Island from the ferry.
•Then, after reaching Elephanta Island you can go by toy train or by walking to cover a distance of 800 meters to reach Elephanta Cave.
# What is the entry fee for elephanta caves island?
• gram panchayat Gharapuri entry tax is ₹ 5/- per person.
•The entry entry fees for elephanta cave is as follows-
| For Indian citizen | ₹ 40/- per person |
| For foreign citizens | 600/- per person |
# What is the best time to visit the elephanta cave?
•The Elephanta Island is spread over a radius of 2 km of land. It is such a small island, so this island is only connected through the ferry.
# Is elephanta caves worth a visit?
• There are some locations facts that makes the visit worth it-
- Elephanta caves are acknowledged as a Single rock-cut architecture and structure.
- Elephanta cave island is located at the arabian sea which makes the place humid but surprisingly it is very cold inside the cave because the cave is made up of solid basalt rock.
- Enjoy the site which is full of amazing views.
- If you want to see the ancient technology of india then it is the right place you must visit.
