The name Bhimbetka is associated with the ancient Indian epic hero Bhima. Who was well known for his physical strength, Because of its archaeological values and importance this destination is included in the list of World Heritage Sites. The word Bhimbetka derived from the word Bhimbaithaka, which literally means ‘sitting arrangement of Bhima’. Bhimbetka is located at Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, 45 k.m. The entire place is covered with rich Forrest with amazing greenery and hillside area. Away from Bhopal at southern edge of Vindhyachal. This shelter conserves one of the ancient and earliest tresses of human life in India, specially dance. According to the earliest excavations took place here this place has been declared as a Buddhist site according to the earliest Indian archaeological records. Since then more than 700 similar shelter were found all over the world, of which 243 were very much similar to the Bhimbetka. The walls of these caves are full with number of interesting paintings indicating the prehistoric lives and times of peoples who leave here. The painting includes natural environment around them, religious rites, burials as well as communal dancing and drinking. These painting are painted with combination of red and white color with occasional use of yellow and green. The scenes that were depicted on the walls were taken from everyday life events of aeon’s age. These painting also include many animals like crocodile, dogs, lizards, wild bore, elephants, antelopes, lion, bison, tiger. According to the carbon dating, the canvas was used by different people at different time spans. Archaeologist categories these paintings on the basis of time period. They’ve numbered these time stamp as Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Chalcolithic, Early Historic and Medieval. It is amazing that these paintings are remain intact not even faded after thousands of years. Many archaeologist believes that these paintings were made with amazing composition of vegetable dyes, animal fats and the brushes are made with fibrous plants. Because of that these paintings were keep preserved after thousands of years. The oldest painting that present here was somewhere around 30,000 years old.
Nearby Places to Visit
Bhojpur is at just 10 minutes distance from Bhimbetka, here you can see Bhojeswar temple which was dedicated to lord Shiva. This was also fine piece of rock cut art, the whole temple is carved on a single stone. Apart from this, this place is also famous for many other attractions also like Taj-Ul-Masjid, Moti Masjid, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay, Laxminarayan Temple, and many more where you can spend and enjoy for couple of days.
How to Reach
By Air :Bhopal Airport, also known as Raja Bhoj Airport, is the nearest airport, which is 42 km away from Bhimbetka.
By Rail: Bhopal Railway Station is the nearest rail head to Bhimbetka. It has connection trains to all major cities in India.
Best Time to Visit Bhimbetka
Summer during March to May is bit hot and dry over here thats why it is better to avoid these season for traveling. Monsoon season (June to September) brings lot of heavy rainfall, which transform this places in to a green land. In winter (December to February) the temperature is pleasant and best to visit this place.
Author : James D Corner