Elephanta Caves - GHARAPURI ISLAND, INDIA

The Elephanta Caves, located on Gharapuri Island off the coast of Mumbai in India, are a remarkable complex of rock-cut temples carved directly into basalt cliffs. Dating mainly from between the 5th and 8th centuries, the caves are dedicated primarily to the Hindu god Shiva and are considered among the most significant examples of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture.

Today, the site attracts visitors from across Asia, where history, religion, and everyday life intersect. Tourists and pilgrims alike gather within the caves, turning this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a living space shaped by both ancient devotion and contemporary presence.