Visitors can soon explore the ancient Kanheri Caves in Mumbai through a modern 3D virtual tour!

An imposing basalt outcrop on the hills of Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali is how many people view the Kanheri caves, Mumbai's ancient centre of learning. However, you can experience the monastic complex of this rocky-monument in a modern way soon!

As per reports, the tourism department has decided installed the futuristic 3D virtual tour at the Kanheri Caves to unravel the secrets and wonders of this age-old rocky monument in Mumbai. In addition to this, a new Interpretation Centre will also be set up here to enhance the visitor's travel, like never before.

Dated somewhere between 1st CE to 10th CE, the Kanheri Caves in Borivali are identified as the earliest evidence of Buddhism in India. Naturally, the caves are revered as a popular Buddhist site in Mumbai which attracts tourists and believers to its unique architecture, sculptures, pillars, stupas, relief carvings, paintings and inscriptions, round the year.

By virtue of this popularity, the place will now undergo a development plan to make it more tourist friendly. A 3D tour and interpretation centre with 11 illustrative panels will be installed here to highlight the outstanding features of the cave.

The trail map of Kanheri Caves, situated on several hills around 1,550 feet over sea level, will help visitors save time and explore the ancient structure precisely. As per reports, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is presently finalising the 3D virtual tour of the entire complex, to further the caves' charm.

Launching a host of tourist amenities in Mumbai on Monday, Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy said Kanheri Caves are a part of our ancient heritage as they provide evidence of evolution and our past.

"It's a privilege to inaugurate the works here on the occasion of Buddha Purnima today... Lord Buddha is relevant even today in addressing challenges such as conflict and climate change," he said.

The Minister also laid emphasis on a PPP model, for protecting, preserving and propagating the heritage treasures for the future. For this project too, a similar approach has been adopted, where Indian Oil Foundation has lent its support to the ASI to upgrade tourist facilities here. A pavilion, a custodian quarter, booking office landscaping and other provisions have been brought by this association.

Once the facelift project is completed, the Kanheri Caves, famous for its 109 cave complex of monasteries, chaityas and viharas, will doubly attract visitors by its modern tropes too.

- with IANS inputs