Bhimbetka Caves Madhya Pradesh History and Interesting Facts

Bhimbetka Caves Quick Facts

Bhimbetka Caves Overview

One of the oldest caves in India, Bhimbetka caves and rock shelters are located in the Raisen district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This place is surrounded on all sides by Vindhya Mountains, which are related to the 'Neo Stone Age'. The Satpura hills start in its southern part. These caves and rocks are famous for rock paintings and rock shelters made by primitive humans. The exquisite illustrations and craftsmanship done inside these caves make us aware of the cultural history of India.

Bhimbetka Caves History

India's Famous archaeologist Dr. Vishnu Sridhar Wakankar had discovered the Bhimbetka caves and rocks in the year 1958 while going to Nagpur. They saw the archaeological treasures scattered here that the paintings made in these caves are about 40,000 years old. Bhimbetka means the seat of Bhima. The rock paintings present in these caves resemble those in Kakadu National Park in Australia's Kalahari Desert, where Bushman Caves and Lascaux Caves in France.

Bhimbetka Caves Interesting Facts

1. The famous Bhimbetka caves of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh are located in the Raisen district, just 46 km from Bhopal.
2. According to the Hindu scripture Mahabharata, Bhimbetka is also called the abode of Bhima. It is believed that the location of Bhimbetka caves is related to the character Bhima of Mahabharata and due to which it was named 'Bhimbetka'.
3. There are more than 600 caves here, in which different types of amazing paintings can be seen.
4. Apart from the paintings of humans made of natural red and white colors in these caves, many caves also have colorful pictures of various creatures like Cheetahs, Dogs, Lizards, Elephants, Buffalo, etc.
5. The mineral colors used in the incredible paintings made here are mainly red, ocher, and white and sometimes yellow and green have also been used.
6. These colors were prepared by mixing manganese, hematite, charcoal, soft red stone, plant leaves, and animal fat.
7. Hundreds of rock shelters are present here, which are decorated with more than 500 rock shelter paintings.
8. Other antiquities have also been found here, including ancient fort walls, miniature stupas, stone-built buildings, Shunga-Gupta inscriptions, conch inscriptions, and the remains of the Parmara period temple.
9. Among the artifacts present here, the oldest painting is about 12 thousand years old, while the most recent painting is about 1000 years old.
10. Here only 12 caves are open for tourists to visit.
11. It was First mentioned in the Indian archaeological record in the year 1888 as a Buddhist site.
12. The Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Division had declared this area as a site of national importance in the month of August 1990.
13. This Palaeolithic rock shelter was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2003.
14. These caves are located in the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, due to which Indian people have to pay a parking charge of 50 rupees per person and foreigners 100 rupees per tourist fee, with the guide fee being different.

How to reach Bhimbetka Caves

The Nearest Airport to reach here is located at Bhopal (45 kms). If you want to go here by Rail, then you can easily reach Bhimbetka by coming to Bhopal from there by taxi or bus.

• Bhopal: 46 Kilometers
• New Delhi 795 Kilometers
• Mumbai 818 कKilometers