We all work 6 days a week and then like to party or like to travel away from the city. There are quite a few interesting places in and near Mumbai where families can travel enjoy nature and come back the same day without an overnight stay, because again Monday is another working day.
Elephanta caves are one such place, situated 10 km from Gateway of India and are approximately fifty minutes journey from Mumbai. The frequency of ferry is thirty minutes.
The best enjoyable part to reach Elephanta caves is by a ferry from the Gateway of India. Gateway of India at Apollo Bunder is accessible by both Western and Central Railway stations Churchgate and CST respectively, and from the stations to Gateway of India either by foot, bus or cab.
Gateway of India itself is a well known tourist place, crowded by all sorts of people, those who come from Mumbai and outside Mumbai to see the place, photographers waiting to give you an instant photo service and so on.
This ferry journey is a treat in itself while it moves through the natural scenery through the waters of the Arabian sea.
You are able to enjoy the sight of lush mountains, birds, a lighthouse pass through your journey. Plus the wind caresses you through the whole journey.
On the outset of ferry reaching Elephanta caves jetty area is a mini train to take you till the foot of the caves. You can also walk the way lined with locals selling you local stuff which was quite enjoyable.
Best way is to walk on your way to Elephanta on ascent and then take the train ride back from Elephanta Caves to the Jetty for your journey back home..Walking makes us enjoy the small and fine beauties of nature and beyond which a ride in vehicle tends to skip.
Now we were waiting at the footsteps of the caves .Welcome to the Elephanta Caves.
Rates can change without notice .
On reaching the foot of the caves is a climb of steps which take twenty minutes to reach the door of the actual caves area.
To make the climb of steps comfortable, there is also facility for children and elderly to be taken on atop by chairs .The chair is driven by four young men.
This walk is lined up with shops selling jewellery, artifacts, handicraft items which are worth a dekho and buy it .Also lined with these are stalls with various themed T Shirts for the young tourist.
The stalls are interspersed with food stalls with locals selling hot steamy Vada Pau and small restaurants with menu of South Indian dishes and various snacks.
On reaching Elephanta, you get to see many caves. Each of the caves has a certain history behind it.
These caves are dated between 5th and 8th century AD.
Photo credit: wikipedia.org
The Elephanta caves are located at Gharapuri (city of caves) .The name Elephanta was given to the island by the Portuguese due to a sculpture of an elephant found here. (This piece was moved to the Bhau Daji Ladd museum near the Jijamata Udyan in Byculla.)
The island of two groups of caves—the first is a large group of five Hindu shrine caves, the second, a group of two Buddhist caves.
To the eastern part of the island, on the Stupa Hill, there is small group of caves that house Buddhist monuments. This hill is named after the religious Stupa monument that they display. One of the two caves is incomplete, while the other contains a Stupa made in brick.
To the western part of the island, the larger group consists of five rock-cut Hindu shrines. The main cave is universally famous for its carvings to the glory of Shiva, who is exalted in various forms and actions.
The entire cave temple complex covers an area of about 60,000 square feet.
Photo credit : http://abitoflife1.blogspot.com/
Photo credit : http://abitoflife1.blogspot.com/
One of the main sights here is the Maheshamurti cave in which Lord Shiva is shown as a creator, protector and destroyer. One also must see the southern wall, which has sculptures of Kalyanasundara, Gangadhara, Ardhanariswara and Uma Maheswara.
One more attraction at Elephanta are the monkeys. There are lots of monkeys at the Elephanta. One aspect to take seriously is the cautious notice of not teasing the monkeys here.
Refreshments:
You have a MTDC holiday resort which has a good restaurant and double rooms are available for the day. Presently night stay is not allowed at the island.
There are also a few decent restaurants on the way between the jetty and the Elephanta caves.
I particularly liked the hot fresh vada pau’s made at one of the stalls there.
Locals sell jamun’s mixed with chat masala which have a local fevor in them.
Trip’s tips and More etc.
You get a very good view of the sea below from the MTDC restaurant, a treat for photographers here.
It is preferable to take drinking water with yourself on the trip.
Pls. note that the caves are open between 9:00 to 5:00 pm except Mondays.
Best time to travel is year round except monsoons.
Elephanta Festival:
To commemorate the living heritage of Indian dance, sculpture and art, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) periodically organizes the Elephanta Festival. The Elephanta Festival is a tribute to classical performers and an initiative to popularize Indian classical dance and heritage art forms. A renowned world heritage site, Elephanta forms a stunning backdrop for India's leading artists as they enthrall you with their music and dance recitals.
This festival is advertised in leading newspaper.
Back Home:
They say “Good times move on faster”, and my trip were coming to an end.
The return journey I hopped the mini train to reach the Elephanta jetty, a cool five minute journey .In the evening back home on the ferry, I had a pleasant journey with birds following us for a long time.
And my mind wandered between the good time I had during the day and getting ready for the next Monday morning, and also planning for the next weekend .This way the week too moves fast.
Have a nice n happy week.
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Coming by mid August ...
Walk your way to Matheran -the only no vehicle hill station.
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