Ban Masiti Caves

On the slopes of Mount Shahbazband, near the historic village of Tis in the Chabahar County, lies a group of natural and man-made caves known locally as Ban Masiti, where human craftsmanship and natural formations come together. The first cave is a semicircular natural cave that was enlarged by human hands and turned into a space resembling a place of worship or a shrine. Inside it stands a small tomb with white plastered walls and a simple dome, a sign of its spiritual and religious importance to the people of the region.

There is a sunken step between the floor of the cave and the tomb. Above the tomb is a cube of stone and plaster that forms the base of a small dome. The sides of the cube are covered in white plaster, and the entrance to the tomb faces the Tis Valley, in line with the mouth of the cave. The tomb measures roughly 0.8 by 1.3 by 1.8 metres, and the walls of the cube carry lines and symbols drawn in red and purple ink that closely resemble Gujarati and Indian scripts. The cave is 180 by 240 metres in length and width and 240 metres in height. To the right of the natural cave, seven paces away, lies another, man-made cave in which tool marks from the carving are clearly visible.

The entrance of this second cave is about 80 centimetres high and the ceiling is low, so an average person can only enter it stooped over. The cave is a dead end, and it may be connected to the third cave or to underground wells. A platform of stone and plaster can be seen inside. The third cave is located 50 metres to the left of the main cave and has an arched opening about 20 metres wide. These three caves appear to have been part of a complex used for religious or ritual purposes, and at their entrances you can see the remains of steps that once gave access from ground level.

The best time to visit Ban Masiti is from autumn to early spring, that is, from Mehr to Farvardin, when the weather is milder and more pleasant and there is none of the intense summer heat. The sunset also offers a spectacular view over the Tis Valley, clearly visible from the mouth of the first cave. It is recommended to visit this historic and natural site with a local guide, who can give you more detailed information about the cultural background and local beliefs associated with the caves.