The caves have only been discovered in 1819, when the British John Smith was hunting for tigers in the area. There are 28 man-made caves in a horseshoe-shaped mountain. They date back to the 2nd century BC and have been carved out of the rock. All sculptures and columns are part of the mountain (well, some crumbled and have been rebuilt). They also sport some fine wall painitings, which apparently have partly been done by Hinduists! The caves served as Buddhist temples, but have been abandoned in the 6th century for an unknown reason.
My fellow acquaintances from the package tour were a bit of a downturn, as they partly moved as slow as a snail, were unable to climb up or down a stair, and didn't hear that mankind invented antiperspirant already quite a while ago. I guess that's why I hate going on package tours! Well, there will be one more tomorrow...