Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Gharapuri, Mumbai's Island Known As The City Of Caves
Gharapuri is an island near Mumbai that people also call Elephanta Island.
It is known as the “City of Caves” because it has ancient caves cut into its rocky hills.
Visitors can take a ferry from the Gateway of India to reach the island.
The boat ride usually takes about an hour.
The biggest cave is called Cave 1.
It has large stone sculptures showing different forms of Lord Shiva.
One famous sculpture is the tall Trimurti, which shows three forms of Shiva.
The caves were made many centuries ago and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Gharapuri, now popularly called Elephanta Island, is known as the “City of Caves.”
The island lies about 10 kilometres from Mumbai and is reached by ferry from the Gateway of India.
The Elephanta Caves were carved into the hillside between the 5th and 6th centuries AD.
Cave 1 contains major sculptures of Lord Shiva, including the approximately seven-metre-tall Trimurti.
The Elephanta Caves became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
- Who
- Visitors, local residents, and the historical communities associated with Gharapuri are connected to the site.
- What
- Gharapuri, now called Elephanta Island, is known as the “City of Caves” for its ancient rock-cut temples and sculptures.
- When
- The caves were carved between the 5th and 6th centuries AD, and the site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
- Where
- Gharapuri is about 10 kilometres from Mumbai and is reached by ferry from the Gateway of India.
- Why
- It is called the “City of Caves” because its hills contain ancient rock-cut caves, many dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Original name
- Gharapuri
- Common name
- Elephanta Island
- Location
- About 10 kilometres from Mumbai
- Access
- Ferries depart from Mumbai’s Gateway of India
- Main site
- Elephanta Caves
- Most prominent cave
- Cave 1
- UNESCO designation
- Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987