Credit: Aayush Srivastava
Bhimbetka is an archaeological site that is located in the Ratapani wildlife sanctuary, Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh. Sprawling over an area of 10 square kilometers, it is home to almost 750 rock shelters, each with its own unique history and significance. It was first discovered in 1957 by archaeologist Dr. Vishnu Wakankar. He first noticed the rock shelters when he was on a train ride to Nagpur. He saw the rock formations resemble what he had studied in France and Spain. It was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 2003,
A treasure of the past that transports back in time to the Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages. The cave walls are designed to depict the life and times of our ancestors, from hunting and gathering to dancing and celebrating.
Despite being home to more than 750 rock shelters, only 12 to 15 caves are open for visitors.
Legend
Bhimbetaka is named after the second brother Bhim among the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata. It has been said that Bhim rested in the caves and used to interact with the locals outside the cave. This led to the name of the cave being named after Bhim, which roughly translates into Bhim Resting Place or “Bhim Lounge”.
Another story says these caves were inhabited by demons, which led to the caves being called “Dant” which means teeth. These stories have been part of the folklore of the region for centuries and have been passed from one generation to another.
Historical significance
The main feature that is seen is the ancient paintings that adorn the walls of the cave. Out of the 750 rock shelters, 500 have their own paintings. It has been believed that paintings over 12,000 years old depict scenes from daily life and cover a wide range of themes like dancing, singing, hunting, and more. The use of colors like red and white on the cave walls divided the painting into various periods like the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Chalcolithic. Painting is a testament to the fact that it was once inhabited by a large number of people around 300 BC.
The rock painting has a remarkable similarity with the painting of the aboriginal rock art found in Australia that suggests a possible connection between the two ancient cultures. Paleolithic Lascaux cave paintings discovered in France that date back to 17,000 years ago also look similar. All these have led scientists to take an interest in the study of Bhimbetka rock paintings.
How to reach Bhimbetka
By Road: Bhimbetka is well connected by road. The nearest major city is Bhopal, which is about 45 km away. You can take a taxi or a bus from Bhopal to reach Bhimbetka.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Bhimbetka is in Hoshangabad, which is about 22 km away. You can take a train from any major city in India to reach Hoshangabad, and then take a taxi or a bus to reach Bhimbetka.
By Air: The nearest airport to Bhimbetka is in Bhopal, which is about 45 km away. You can take a flight from any major city in India to reach Bhopal, and then take a taxi or a bus to reach Bhimbetka.