Discover India: Ancient wonders to culinary delights on Google Arts & Culture
India's rich cultural heritage and incredible diversity have always been a wellspring of inspiration for Google Arts & Culture. Today, we're bringing two new experiences to the fingertips of a global audience, ready for discovery: Explore Elephanta Caves and Food Mood India Edition.
Celebrating India's ancient artistry through the Elephanta Caves virtual exhibition
3D model of the Sadashiva panel in the main cave on Elephanta Island©
An hour’s ferry ride away from Mumbai, on Elephanta Island, lies the Elephanta Caves - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Described by the UNESCO listing as the “most magnificent achievement in the history of rock-architecture in western India”, this network of 1500-year-old cave temples dates back to the 5th and 8th centuries AD.
Bringing a true jewel of ancient Indian art to the world, Google Arts & Culture, in partnership with CyArk, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) and twelve other partner institutions, has launched “Explore Elephanta Caves”. The initiative enables audiences to virtually explore this ancient wonder, brought to life through cutting-edge technology including 3D scanning and generative AI for immersive storytelling.
Cyark and Instucen Teams travelled to Elephanta by fishing boat everyday for a week, carrying their equipment ©
CyArk, along with Instucen Trust and ASI, used 3D Lidar scanning to digitally preserve Elephanta Caves' main cave temple. (LiDAR is a mapping technology that uses laser light to create highly accurate 3D maps of various surfaces.). A dedicated team embarked on daily journeys to Elephanta, transporting their specialized equipment via small fishing boats.
On Elephanta, they meticulously captured over 6,500 photos and 197 laser scans. They also recorded crucial insights from experts like archaeologists Dr. Andre Baptista and Dr. Kurush Dalal. This devoted labor of love now brings the main cave's intricate beauty to virtual audiences across the globe.
Using photogrammetry and Lidar scanning to create 3D models of the stunning-bas reliefs ©
The digital exhibit is also enriched by a collection of photographs of significant archaeological artifacts contributed by CSMVS. These items, discovered on the island, including sculptures, pot sherds, and copper thals (plates), offer a window into centuries of religious rituals practiced by local communities who've called Elephanta home.
“On The Island of Elephanta”, a print by Robert Brandard from a steel engraving published in 1836, now part of the CSMVS collection
For the first time, audiences from around the world can embark on a "Talking Tour" of the Elephanta Caves. With this unique experiment, everyone can virtually explore the site while listening to context from a live audio guide generated by Google AI. This innovative feature also offers users the opportunity to ask their own questions, enabling a deeper, more personalized understanding of the site.
This cohesive online hub celebrates the cultural heritage of the Elephanta Caves presented in partnership with 15 collections. The caves are far more than just historical monuments; they stand as a living record of ancient artistic and engineering prowess - a most perfect expression of Indian Art.
Get Inspired by cuisines of India and explore your creativity in the kitchen using AI
Food Mood India Edition
We also bring to you today the Food Mood India edition, a new playful AI experiment that invites you to explore and create with India's remarkable gastronomic heritage. Food has been a very important part of Indian culture, and with the incredible diversity that the country has, the palette changes when you travel just a few miles. Each state tells its own culinary story through unique spices, cooking techniques, and traditional recipes passed down through generations.
How to experience the fusion of cuisines?
Simply select two regional cuisines from India and let the recipe generator create something new for you. You can choose to cook a starter, soup, main course, or dessert. Consider blending the robust flavors of Maharashtra with the coastal influences of Goa, or perhaps mixing the royal spices of Rajasthan with Kerala's coconut-rich traditions. Each region's distinctive taste profile has been carefully represented, creating a digital canvas of India's culinary diversity. Powered by Gemini 1.5 Flash via VertexAI, this experiment helps you discover exciting fusion recipes that honor traditional techniques while encouraging creative exploration in your own kitchen.
These experiments continue our commitment to finding new ways to inspire cultural learning and creativity. We invite you to discover them on Google Arts & Culture.
