Welcome to Maharashtra. A land whose sheer size and diversity will stun you.

Enjoy her mountains that stretch out into the mists as far as the eye can see. Her innumerous forts that stand proud and strong. Her scores of temples, sculpted into and out of basalt rock. Her diverse and colourful cultures, woven into one gigantic quilt. Her festivals that galvanise the sleepy thousands into fervent motion. And her miles of silver, white beaches, stretched taut and inviting over the entire coast. Welcome aboard a travel package that gives you a glimpse into this vibrant and beautiful land. Welcome to Maharashtra. A land untouched, unsullied, unlimited.

The name Maharashtra first appeared in a 7th century inscription and in a Chinese traveler's account. Its name may have originated from rathi, which means, "chariot driver". At that age Maharashtra was full of builders and drivers of chariots who formed a maharathis, a "fighting force." In 90 A.D. king Vedishri made Junnar, thirty miles north of Pune, the capital of his kingdom. In the early fourteenth century the Devgiri Yadavs were overthrown by the northern Muslim powers. Then on, for the 900 years ending, no historical information in this region is available. In 1526, first Mughal king, Babar, established his prominence in Delhi and soon the Mughal power spread to the southern India. The Mughals were to dominate India till the early eighteenth century. Shivaji Bhosle, founder of the Maratha Empire, was born in 1627. He took the oath to make the land free at the fort Torna at the age of sixteen. This was the start of his lifelong struggle against Mughals and other Muslim powers. By 1680, the year of Shivaji's death, nearly whole of the Deccan belonged to his kingdom. He had developed an efficient administration and a powerful army. He also encouraged a spirit of independence among the Marathas that enabled them to withstand for 150 years all attempts to conquer them. Shivaji's achievements amongst monumental difficulties were really spectacular and that is why he holds the highest place in Maratha history.

Crafts of Maharashtra The growth of crafts in society is a sign of the cultivation of sensitivity and the stirring and mellowing of humanism. It stands for man's endeavour to bring grace and elegance into an otherwise harsh and drab human existence. Actually, man's elevation from gross animal existence is marked by his yearning for something beyond the satisfaction of mere needs and

creature comforts. It is the yearning that found natural expression in crafts. - Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Crafts do not grow in isolation. They are basically in the service of the society. Society's culture can be measured from the arts and crafts it lived with. Arts and crafts find unhindered patronage and wide appreciation in a society that has been elevated to great cultural heights. Such society establishes values and norms that give the guidelines of life to all its members, rich and poor. Artists and craftsmen in such society exist as an integral part of it and crave to achieve excellence and reach to perfection in their work. From the law-books, the Niti-Shastra, from the writings of Manu and Kautilya, we learn the responsibility of the state and the public to protect and patronize the artists and craftsmen. The system of taxation makes it compulsory for society to foster and support the artist and craftsmen Matsya Purana mentions that every home should have a door frame in carved wood as a sign of welcome to visitors. This tradition of carved wooden frames and carved wooden balconies supported by brackets of animals, birds, and human forms is a part of architectural design of homes, palaces and temples as well as other community places built all over India. There are many palaces, temples and private homes in Maharashtra, in which we see plenty of intricate and charming woodwork. In places like Pune, Wai, Satara, Nasik Chandwad, Palshi, Paithan there ar Wadas (havelis) full of excellent wood carvings. Several temples in Konkan (Sindhudurg), in places like Achre, Kunkeshwar, Sawantwadi, Aakeri have pillars and projected beams very intricately carved by the local craftsmen. Since our contemporary architecture is totally changed and has no place for any carvings or others crafts, the craft of wood carving gradually disappeared and with that vanished all our craftsmen. When we probe into the cultural history of Maharashtra of the last three hundred years, we come across very interesting accounts of our crafts and craftsmen which have been meticulously recorded in gazetteers and reports of various collectorates during the British rule. Our crafts were shown in several exhibitions in the Western counties and they were highly praised. George C. M. Birdwood published his book, 'The Arts of India' in 1880, in which he had given plenty of information about, the then prevailing crafts in Maharashtra. Several crafts mentioned by him are not being executed today. But some major which have survived or have been revived and handed down to the present generation of craftsmen were also going through a difficult period due to lack of patronage, because under the British rule, the lifestyle of patrons of arts and crafts was also undergoing a great change. George Birdwood had paid high tributes to the craftsmen of Maharashtra as he had given several examples of their crafts in great detail. It is very interesting to know that the Thakurs and Katharies of Matheran Hill were imaginative craftsmen who could design ornaments. Birdwood records. "Mr. W.G.S.V. Fitz Gerald sent to the Annual International Exhibition of 1872 a collection of grass ornaments worn by the wild Thakurs and Katharies of Matheran and the Western Ghats of Bombay, which had been made by Dr. T. Y. Smith, the accomplished Superintendent of that hill station, and by the side of these grass collars, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and girdles, were exhibited also examples of the gold jewellery of thick gold wire, twisted into girdles, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and collars worn all over India and which are fashioned in gold exactly as the Matheran ornaments are fashioned in grass." Writing about the gold jewellery, Birdwood has mentioned that, "the repousse gold jewellery of Sawantwadi in mythological design is the best in Western India." He has also stated that "the

hemispherical golden ornament worn by women, both at Bombay and Cairo, on top of their heads, of which ones sees in collection such fine specimens from Sawantwadi and Vizianagram". No goldsmiths in Sawantwadi make such ornaments today. Some reference about wood carving in Maharashtra has already been made. From the documentation of Birdwood we come to know that the craftsmen from Sindhudurg (Ratnagiri) were experts in designing and executing carved articles for various purposes. They used Sinsapa (Shisam) or Bombay black wood and teak for various carving purposes. According to Birdwood, "teak for the beams and pillars, brackets, and door-posts and doors of native houses is carved in Rajapur and Deogarh talukas of the Ratnagiri Collectorate." A good deal of inlay work was being conducted in Bombay in the latter part of the 19th Century. This inlay was made up of tin wire, sandal-wood, ebony, sappan (Brazil) wood, ivory, white, and stained green, and stag horn. "Bombay inlaid work" was familiar for ornamental furniture such as book-stands, work-boxes, blotting- cases, ubiquitous glove, boxes and card cases, which go by the name of "Bombay boxes".

It is well known that Maharashtrians consider their food as 'Anna he poornabrahma' meaning they consider 'anna', or food, equal to 'Brahma', or the creator of the universe. Food is God, to be worshipped. Apart from this, the people of this state also believe in offering their food first to the lord as a thanksgiving for all that He has given. Especially, on festive occasions, some specific mithais (sweets) are offered such as Ukadiche Modak (Ganesh Chaturthi) and Satyanarayan Puja Sheera. Even inside the state itself, one can find distinguishing flavours and food styles that make eating an interesting activity altogether. Maharashtrian cuisine is divided into two, Konkani, and Varadi. Though quite different, both use a lot of seafood and coconut. Grated coconuts spice many kinds of dishes, but coconut oil is not very widely used as a cooking medium. Peanuts and cashew nuts are widely used in vegetables and peanut oil is the main cooking medium. Another feature is the use of kokum, a deep purple berry that has a pleasing sweet and sour taste. Kokum, most commonly used in an appetizer-digestive called the sol kadhi, is served chilled.

Among seafood, the most popular fish is bombil or the Bombay duck, which is normally served

batter fried and crisp. All non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes are eaten with boiled rice or with bhakris, which are soft rotis made of rice flour. Special rice puris called vada and amboli, which is a pancake made of fermented rice, urad dal, and semolina, are also eaten as a part of the main meal.

In the vegetarian fare, the most popular vegetables are brinjals. A popular style of cooking brinjals is bharlivangi or baby brinjals stuffed with coconut. Maharashtrian fare is incomplete without papads, which are eaten roasted or fried. The most popular desserts of Maharashtra are the puran poli, which is roti stuffed with a sweet mixture of jaggery and gram flour, and shreekhand, which is sweetened curd flavored with cardamom and saffron. Food for festival Gudi Padwa, Holi, Haritalika, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Makara Sankranti are some of the festivals native to the state of Maharashtra. And some special foods during these festival times are as follows:

Gudi Padwa: Soonth Panak, Sprouted Chana Usal Holi: Puran Poli Haritalika: Coconut Potali Ganesh Chaturthi: Modak Diwali: Shankarpali, Badam Halwa, Chakli, Karanji. Makar Sakranti: Tilgul, Shengdana Chikki Food in Weddings After the marriage ceremony is done with, guests sit down to a traditional meal served on a banana leaf. The meal is entirely vegetarian in nature and is created without any onion or garlic. It consists of a selection of vegetables in coconut gravy, green mango chutney, cucumber and peanut salad, rice, puris, golden dal called `varan' and a sweet dish like jalebi, creamy basundi or saffron-scented shrikhand. `Mattha' or coriander-flavoured, salted buttermilk complements the meal which end sweet `paan' called `vida s with a

'. Dating back to the 2nd BC and artistically built over a few centuries, the Caves of Maharashtra

have an extraordinary appeal and aura. Nestled in the formidable Sahayadri Mountain Range, these caves have been home to monks of different religions. Be it the paintings in the Ajanta caves or the sculpture of the Ellora caves, or the divine presence in the Elephanta caves, the visitors have always and will always continue to be spellbound. These caves offer a visit that is truly unforgettable. A visit that will induce a sense of discovery, a discovery of the self, and of the divine.

TYPES OF TOURISM IN INDIA: India defines both cultural and topographical diversity and that is also a significant demand in the tourism industry in India. The tours in India as offered by the tour operators in India are also as varied. These include:
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Ecotourism: Also known as Nature Tourism is a special tour designed for the exploration of wildlife and environmental beauty of India. Ecotourism in India includes wildlife tourism that includes trips to wildlife sanctuaries and national parks; hill stations like Darjeeling (West Bengal, East India), Munnar (Kerala, South India), Ooty and Kodaikanal (Tamilnadu, South India), Shillong (Meghalaya, Northeast India), Shimla (Himachal Pradesh, North India), Nainital, Mussoorie, Rishikesh (Uttaranchal, North India) and many more; beaches of Goa, Chennai, Kanya Kumari, Andaman Nicobar, Lakhshadweep and other coastal regions on the west and east coast of India and adventure tourism as in wild rivers of the Himalayas like white water rafting in Rishikesh, trekking in Panchgani, jungle safari, desert safari and other adventure tours of India. Rural Tourism: Majority of India is among the rural category with the sanctity and subtleness intact in the very essence of the village soil. This pious environment of the rural India attracts lot of interest among the tourists in India and thus rural tourism is a fast emerging category. Regional tourism: The states in India themselves provide a lot of cultural heritage and variety. Each and every state tourism board has its own state tourism packages that cover the entire state and offer a perfect vacation. Individual states like Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, Assam, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, Andhra

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Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and other states offer wholesome tourism states package deals.
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India City Tour: Certain cities in India themselves are comprehensive tourist destinations and holiday spots. Many travel packages are centered to these cities. These include New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Agra, Varanasi, Kanpur, Haridwar, and many more.

INTRODUCTION TO MAHARASHTRA TURISUM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The name Maharashtra first appeared in a 7th century inscription and in a Chinese traveler's account. Its name may have originated from rathi, which means, "chariot driver". At that age Maharashtra was full of builders and drivers of chariots who formed a maharathis, a "fighting force." In 90 A.D. king Vedishri made Junnar, thirty miles north of Pune, the capital of his kingdom. In the early fourteenth century the Devgiri Yadavs were overthrown by the northern Muslim powers. Then on, for the 900 years ending, no historical information in this region is available. In 1526, first Mughal king, Babar, established his prominence in Delhi and soon the Mughal power spread to the southern India. The Mughals were to dominate India till the early eighteenth century. Shivaji Bhosle, founder of the Maratha Empire, was born in 1627. He took the oath to make the land free at the fort Torna at the age of sixteen. This was the start of his lifelong struggle against Mughals and other Muslim powers. By 1680, the year of Shivaji's death, nearly whole of the Deccan belonged to his kingdom. He had developed an efficient administration and a powerful army. He also encouraged a spirit of independence among the Marathas that enabled them to withstand for 150 years all attempts to conquer them. Shivaji's achievements amongst monumental difficulties were really spectacular and that is why he holds the highest place in Maratha history.

MTDC Tours & Travels Guide In yet another towering initiative towards bringing IHR customers closer to Maharashtra and giving the best deals we have tied up with MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) online for their impressive range of resorts and hotels across the state in some of the most popular tourist spots. The MTDC Tours & Travels properties on offer are located on the most vantage points, offering the best view of the place in question. All together MTDC

Travels includes beaches, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, pilgrimages, historic forts the choice of accommodation is plenty. Maharashtra with an area of 307,713 sq. km is a favourite tourist destination because of its unique geography. In the southern direction it is bounded by Goa and Karnataka. It borders Andhra in southeast. In the north it borders Gujarat along with Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Madhya Pradesh. In the east it shares borders with the state of Chhattisgarh while in the west it is all Arabian Sea. Mumbai is the financial and bollywood capital while Pune is the cultural capital of the state. Let`s trace why Maharashtra is a hot tourist attraction.

Captivating History

The history of Maharashtra is linked with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the legendary warrior who resisted every move of the aggressors and carved out an independent Kingdom. No wonder most of the forts in the state counting around 350 is reminiscent of his exploits. Some of the most popular forts associated with Shivaji include Sindhudurg, Shivneri( he was born here), Pratapgad, Vijaydurg, Kolaba, Purandar, Sinhagad, Rajgad, Lohagad, Raigad(capital of Shivaji Maharaj). Apart from the forts of Shivaji other important forts include Shaniwarvada, a palace fort built by the Peshwas and the invincible Janjira sea fort. Click on MTDC Historic Places to know more...
Sacred Pilgirmages

Led by Shirdi the place of Sai baba and visited by millions Maharashtra boasts of some of the most revered pilgrim spots in India. Pandharpur, Nashik, Trimbkeshwar, the eight Ashta Vinayak shrines. Click MTDC Pilgrimage to know more...
Pristine Beaches

Maharashtra`s long coastline of 530 kms along the Arabian Sea is known for some of the most beautiful beaches. The fabled beaches of Konkan coast include Alibaug, Bordi, Tarkali, Ganapatipule spread across north, central and south Konkan. Theses beaches along with those on Mumbai make Maharashtra a prominent center for beach tourism. Click On MTDC Beaches to know more...
Quaint Hill Stations

The fabled Western Ghats known locally as the Sahyadri Hills, run parallel to the Arabian Sea coastline of Maharashtra. The hills sometimes about 30 to 50 kilometers inland play a game of hide and seek with the beaches and then rise gradually to great heights. Kalsubai peak, at a height of 5400 ft is the highest peak in Maharashtra. Some of the popular hill stations here include Amboli, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Khandala, Lonavala, Karla, Panchgani, Chikhaldara et al. Click on MTDC Hill Stations to know more...
Thriving Wildlife

Maharashtra has a forest cover of 20 % of its land area with a good number of wildlife parks and sanctuaries. The Giant Indian Squirrel is the state animal of Maharashtra. Some of the important wildlife sanctuaries of Maharashtra include, the Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Melghat Tiger Reserve is some of the prominent ones Maharashtra also has one of the finest bird sanctuaries in India- Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Click on MTDC Wildlife Parks to know more...
Caves The twin caves of Ajanta and Ellora are declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Ajanta, where the first Buddhist cave monuments date from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC and Ellora where Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves carved between 600 to 1000 AD coexists.

MTDC Pilgrimages Maharashtra

Trimbakeshwar Trimbakeshwar of just 36 kms from Nasik is one of the 12 Lord Shiva Jyotirlinga sites in India. The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here is that it has 3 faces that embodies Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. The temple is also believed to be the source of the holy River Godavari. Shirdi

Shirdi, abode of Sai Baba is Maharashtra`s richest shrine, with an annual revenues touching nearly Rs 100 crore, it is located approximately 296 Kilometers from Mumbai. Tuljapur Tuljapur is 45 kms from Sholapur located in the Osmanabad district. Known for the Tuljabhavani Temple, it is a famous pilgrimage centre and one of the four Shakti Peethas in the state of Maharashtra. Pandharpur Pandharpur is a holy pilgrimage of Shri Vitthal and Shri Rukmini located on the banks of river Bhima some 72 kms from the Solapur city. Alandi Alandi is located on the banks of river Indrayani some 25 kms away from Pune. Besides the samadhi and temple of the famous saint-poet Sant Dnyaneshwar it is also famous for other temples like Vitthal-Rakhumai, Ram et al. Ghrishneshwar Ghrishneshwar Temple, one among the Twelve Lord Shiva Jyotirlingas of the Indian subcontinent is just a short walk away from the Ellora caves. It is a sacred pilgrimage center with the temple built during the period of Ahilyabai Holkar. Kunkeshwar Kunkeshwar is located in Devgad Taluka of Sindhudurga district and is know for the Shiva Temple. The beach is also a favourite for the weekend travelers. Jyotiba Jyotiba The Temple of Jyotiba an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is located about 15Kms towards north of Kolhapur. Nashik Nashik about 185-km from Mumbai on the banks of river Godavari is a revered place for the Hindus as along with scores of Temple it is also associated with Ramayana. Nanded Nanded is a holy city for the Sikh community. Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurudwara is situated in Nanded. It ranks among the four High seats of Authority for the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh the 10th Guru held his court and congregation here. He breathed his

last in Nanded and his holy ashes are buried in the Sachkhand Shri Huzur Gurudwara by the banks of the River Godavari.

MTDC Beaches Maharashtra

Maharashtra has an enviable coastline of 720 kms which is nearly 10% of India`s total coastline. No wonder the state boasts of several beaches. The best part is not only these beaches are scenic but also bereft of large scale exploitation as they are rarely visited. These MTDC Beaches along the Konkan coast of Arabian Sea extend from north and stretch towards Goa in the southern direction. Some of these beaches lie on the foothills of Western Ghats and also interspersed with historic forts and holy pilgrimages thus adding to the poularity as well as visual splendour. Let`s take a look at some of the scenic beaches. Alibag One of the unspoilt beaches near Mumbai Alibag is a quiet beach with a moderate number of tourists. White sands and palm-fringed beaches make for a nice holiday. Tarkarli Tarkarli located 6 km south of Malavan is bestowed with oodles of natural beauty and is a wonderful blend of greenery and pristine beaches. On a fairly clear day, it is possible to see the bed upto a depth of 20 ft. Malvan Malvan is a small city 510 km south of Mumbai on the Konkan coast known for beautiful beaches and nice places to stay. Of particular interest is the spectacular sunset at the Malvan beach with the grand Sindhudurg fort in the background.

MTDC Historic Places Maharashtra

If you are history buff and get mesmerized by imposing and strategically built forts then Maharashtra is the place to be. Maharashtra`s rugged terrain along the irregular rows of the Sahyadris has been the most suitable for building forts. So from legendary Shivaji Maharaj, Peshwas, Nizam Shahi dynasty, Deccan Sultans to Portuguese all had forts here according to their strategic needs. Take a look at some of the historic places. Panhala Panhala is just 18 km from the Kolhapur city and its main attraction is the historic Panhala Fort. The fort reverberating with many legends and heroics associated with Shivaji Maharaj hold on its own in terms of grandiose and scenic beauty.

Sindhudurg The Sindhudurg fort now in ruins is one of the important sea forts to be built in the 17th century by Chatrapati Shivaji.There are a few temples here along with the hand and footprints of Shivaji Maharaj which are also preserved here. Murud Janjira The impregnable 16th centuruy fort of Murud-Janjira is located 60 km away from Alibaug in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. Though now almost in ruins it still speaks of its grandiose and glory as nobody including the Marathas and English were able to capture it.

MTDC Hill Stations Maharashtra

Thanks to the expansive range of Western Ghats, leaving coastal Maharasthra one can head towards the mountains eastwards. Some peaks along the ghats have an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. No guess that the state is also home to several popular hill stations. The beauty of some of these hill stations is such that in few places, the foothills of the imposing Western Ghats or the Sahayadri Mountains extend to the seashore. Thus, offering a spectacular view of the coastal plains below. Some of these hill stations are also famous historical spots owing to some of the magnificent forts built by Shivaji Maharaj. Let`s take a look at them. Panchgani Panchgani enjoying a salubrious climate is another popular hill station. Panchgani lies in Satara district and derives its name from the 5 distinct plateaus on which this magical hill station is located. Chikaldara Chikaldara lies in the Amravati district and by road it is 763 kms from Mumbai. Nestled in the Gavilgarh Hills, an offshoot of the Satpura range, the verdant hill station sprinkled generously with lakes and waterfalls. Matheran Matheran an ideal weekend getaway is located in the Raigad district some 170 kms from Mumbai. Thanks to the strict control on vehicles the air is fresh and clean here. This breathtakingly beautiful hill station is dotted with various points like Sunset, Lovers` Point, and Suicide Point among others. Lonavala

Lonavala and its twin Khandala nearby are charming hill resorts that are located very near to Mumbai and Pune. Dotted with waterfalls and plunging valley these hill stations are ideal for mountain climbers.

MTDC Wildlife Parks Maharashtra

Not withstanding Maharashtra`s reputation as one of the most industrialized states in India, Maharashtra has a forest cover equaling 20 % of the total area of the state. The state has 5 National Parks and 35 Sanctuaries. The forests are varied and home to a incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna. Continuous forest stretches can be found along the scenic Satpura hills in northeastern Maharashtra, and along the Western Ghats in the districts of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli in Vidarbha region. Sanjay Gandhi National Park Sanjay Gandhi National Park with an area of 104 square km is located on the northern suburbs of Mumbai. Known as the lung of Mumbai the park is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Tadoba National Park Tadoba National Park is located 105 km from Nagpur and is a protected Tiger reserve. Other than Tiger Tadoba is also abode to numerous species of Indian antelopes. The park derives its name from a local deity `Taru`, as the place is inhabited by tribals. Chandoli National Park The Chandoli National Park spread over an area of more than 300 square kilometers lies in the Sangli and Kolhapur districts of Maharashtra. Along with a varied flora and fauna it is the reservoir of Chandoli Dam that attracts the tourist here. Melghat Tiger Reserve The Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in the Amravati district of Maharastra and covers an area of approximately 361 square kilometers. This forest, a typical example of the tropical dry deciduous forest boasts of an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Malvan Marine Sanctuary Malvan Marine sanctuary is located in Malvan Taluka of Sindhudurg district. Rich in coral and marine life it covers an area of 29.22-sq-km and declared a protected area in 1987.

MTDC Caves Maharashtra

If Caves and rock-cut temples enthuses you then Maharashtra is the right place for the state has a large repository of such monuments. Leading the pack is of course the renowned Ajanta and Ellora caves declared as world heritage sites by UNESCO. These magnificent caves comprising masterpieces from Buddhist, Jain and Hindu paintings and sculptures are the marvels of bygone era and among the most visited sites by the tourists. Let`s take a look. Ajanta and Ellora Caves The Ajanta and Ellora caves, both UNESCO World Heritage site, comprise Buddhist caves dating from 1st century BC to 1000 AD are the finest specimens of the degree of skill and artistic finesse of the ancient Indian craftsmen. They comprise both Buddhist and Hindu Temples. Karla Caves The Buddhist Karla Caves are situated in the Western Ghats, about 11 kms away from the scenic hill station of Lonavala. Carved out on hills almost 2,000 years ago Karla caves have a large collection of Chaityas (halls). Bhaja Caves Bhaja Caves 18 in number are again a group of Buddhist caves located at a distance of 12 km from Lonavla. Built during the Hinayana phase of Buddhism they exemplify the early phase of Buddhist architecture. Elephanta Caves The Elephanta Caves just 9 km from the Gateway of India on the island by the same name consist of one primary and several smaller ones. These Caves house sculpted panels relating to gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon mainly relating to lord Shiva.