Elephanta Island

Known in ancient times as Gharapuri, the name Elephanta island was given by 16th-century Portuguese explorers, after seeing a monolithic basalt sculpture of an elephant found near the entrance. They decided to take it home but ended up dropping it into the sea because their chains were not strong enough. Later, this sculpture was moved to the Victoria gardens and then the Victoria and Albert Museum in Mumbai, by the British. This island was once the capital of a powerful local kingdom. In Manuscript F by Leonardo da Vinci, there is a note in which he says "Map of Elephanta in India which Antonello the haberdasher has." It is unclear who this Florentine traveler Antonello might have been. Elephanta Island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork. The Elephanta Caves were renovated totally in the year 1970. The Elephanta caves complex is a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of Indian rock-cut architecture, and filled with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The temple complex is also said to be the abode of Shiva. There will be around 120 footsteps to climb up and involves a bit of walking too, but it's surely worth a visit! The Mumbai Elephanta Caves tour will give you a great understanding of Hindu Mythology and particularly about Lord Shiva. This is not a typical Mumbai city tour or the Mumbai Day Tour, but a tour solely dedicated to the Cave lovers. You can also combine the half day city tour with the Elephanta Caves tour.