Google Arts & Culture launches virtual Elephanta Caves experience
cultural heritage
, including a
virtual tour
of the
UNESCO World Heritage Elephanta Caves
and an AI-powered Indian fusion recipe generator.
The centerpiece "Explore Elephanta Caves" project transforms the 1,500-year-old rock temples near Mumbai into an immersive digital experience. Developed in partnership with CyArk, the Archaeological Survey of India, and 13 other institutions, the initiative uses cutting-edge 3D scanning technology and generative AI to bring the ancient cave network to global audiences.
Google says teams spent a week traveling daily by fishing boat to Elephanta Island, capturing over 6,500 photographs and 197 laser scans using LiDAR technology. The project features a revolutionary "Talking Tour" powered by Google AI, allowing users to explore the caves virtually while receiving live audio commentary and asking personalized questions about the site.
The caves, dating from the 5th to 8th centuries AD, are described by UNESCO as the "most magnificent achievement in the history of rock-architecture in western India." The digital preservation effort includes archaeological artifacts from the
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
collection, offering insights into centuries of religious practices on the island.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Simultaneously, Google launched "Food Mood India Edition," an AI experiment that creates
fusion recipes
by blending India's diverse regional cuisines. Powered by Gemini 1.5 Flash, users can combine flavors from different states - such as Maharashtra's robust spices with Goa's coastal influences - to generate innovative dishes across all meal categories.
Director Amit Sood emphasized that these initiatives continue Google's commitment to cultural learning and creativity, making India's rich heritage accessible worldwide through technology.
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