In April of 1819, British officer John Smith was pursuing a tiger through the jungle outside of Mumbai when he stumbled upon a strange cave entrance hidden in the brush.
Something seemed oddly deliberate about the cave entrance and so he decided to abandon his hunt to investigate further. He soon discovered what appeared to be ornate carvings in the rock. Little did he know that was just the beginning.
30 different caves.
Further investigation revealed an entire system of shrines and monuments carved directly into the rock.
Experts believe that they were constructed around 200 BCE as a retreat for Buddhist monks during the terrible monsoon season.
Each of the caves is unique, with its own intricately designed entrances and interiors.
The caves were largely abandoned by the 7th century, but remained a sacred place for locals.
Many of the carvings depict the life of Buddha and his many incarnations.
There are also a large number of paintings, many of which are remarkably well-preserved.
Caves 19 and 26 do actually align perfectly with the winter and summer solstices, respectively.
Even after centuries, the interiors are still absolutely stunning.
The effort and precision required to build these elaborate structures is truly mind-boggling.
