Elephanta Island
Elephanta Island, easily accesible by daily ferry from Mumbai Gateway of India in an hour, making it a popular tourist destination for a day trip to visit the Elephanta caves that have been carved out of rock.
Upon arrival, one may choose to take a narrow gauge train along the 1km pier to the base of the steps that lead up to the Elephanta caves, or simply stroll along the horizon at your own pace.
After climbing long flight of stairs with stalls at the sides selling souvenirs, food and drinks, caves carved out of a SINGLE rock extends a warm welcome. Formerly known as Gharapuri, the name Elephanta was given by 17th century Portuguese explorers after they they saw a monolithic basalt sculpture of an elephant found near the entrance. The site of these magnificent caves contained beautiful sculptures and a temple to the Hindu god Siva.
