Day 09 of Beach Tour of India
Mumbai:
Start after breakfast for ELEPHANTA CAVES. You would be transferred to the jetty for a ship cruise to the CAVES. It would take one or one and half hours depending on the tide.
The Elephanta Island is the site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are located at a distance of 11 km from Mumbai and are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Elephanta, being a commercial, military and religions centre for centuries has traces of early Buddhist culture. The Elephanta caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between 9th - 12th centuries. With the Brahminical resurgence during the reign of Gupta dynasty in 3rd century AD, these great cave dedicated to Lord Shiva exploded into existence at Elephanta. Legends and history suggest that the great warrior prince of Chalukya dynasty Pulkesin ll raised the shrine to celebrate his victory. Some historians also suggest that the Kalchuri King Krishnaraja built these caves in 6th century AD.
As the worship of the figure of the Buddha began to be encouraged with rise of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, a shrine was introduced to house Buddha's image, replacing the cells at the centre of the back wall. The Monasteries of Ajanta lead us directly to Elephanta. It appears that the same families of craftsmen and sculptors who were working on the KAILASA TEMPLE of ELLORA and adjoining Buddhist caves at Ellora were employed at Elephanta.
Finish the tour and then in the afternoon and return to the hotel after lunch.
Enjoy shopping in the afternoon. Overnight will be at Mumbai.
Day 10 of Beach Tour of India
Mumbai - Cochin:
By Flight : 9W 403
Airline : Jet Airways
Aircraft : Boeing 737
Departure : 1220 hr
Arrival : 1405 hr
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.
Proceed to the airport in the afternoon for flight to Cochin.
Reach and transfer to MARARI BEACH RESORT. This is an exclusive and beautiful hotel in the virgin beach of MARARI.
Relax at the beach or at the resort. Overnight will be at MARARI BEACH RESORT.
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