Elephanta is just one-and-a-half hours drive away from Mumbai. The island was once known as Puri or Gharapuri. Portuguese found a monolithic stone elephant at this place so as named derived ‘Elephanta’.
The Elephanta Festival is a festival of Music and Dance organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). This festival is held annually in the month of February.
During the festival renowned dancers and musicians perform outside the caves, beneath a star-studded sky.The main highlights of the festival are the illuminated Maheshmurti (Shiva-idol), in the main cave of the island. Folk dances by the local fisher folk, ethnic local food varieties add to the ambiance.
The festival also involves a boat ride from the Gateway of India in Mumbai to the Elephanta Islands. The Elephanta Festival is a tribute to classical performers and an initiative to popularize Indian classical dance and heritage art forms. A renowned world heritage site, Elephanta forms a stunning backdrop for India’s leading artists as they enthrall you with their music and dance recitals.

Also See: The Elephanta Caves.