Bhimbetka Caves: Glorious heritage

By Deepti Khanna

Posted On Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 05:00:29 PM

They say if you don't know where you come from, you don't know where you are going. A trip to Bhimbetka Caves does just that for you. With rock paintings depicting how life evolved for prehistoric man and UNESCO declaring this place as one of the 24th world heritage sites, a trip to Bhimbetka Caves in Madhya Pradesh is both insightful and enjoyable Getting back to Basics Bhimbetka Caves are located 46 kms South of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Spread over an area of 886 sq kms, the Bhimbetka Caves were discovered in 1957-58 by Dr Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar. These caves are surrounded by the northern limits of Vindhya Mountain Range. Out of the 750 rock shelters about 500 are adorned with paintings. It took around 16 years to excavate the entire area covered by these caves. Only 12 caves are open for tourists at the moment, but they show you all the important and clear paintings that are present. Out of the 24 world heritage sites that have been recognised by UNESCO in India, Bhimbetka Caves are said to be the oldest one. The site is said to have remained the centre of human activity right from the lower Palaeolithic times (12,000 BP around 2.5 million years ago) to as recent as medieval period. The paintings here are believed to be similar to the aboriginal rock paintings in the outback of Australia, the cave paintings of the Bushmen in Kalahari Desert and the Palaeolithic Lascaux cave paintings in France. Mythological Importance As the legend goes, these hills got their name after Lord Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers. It is said that Lord Bhima came and sat on these caves during their days of exile. The name 'Bhim-betka' literally means 'where Bhim sat down'. Work of Art Most paintings at Bhimbetka caves throw light on the evolution of life. The paintings attributed to the earlier years are rudimentary that are similar to the warli paintings of Maharashtra. Initial paintings are mostly a representation of animals seen in their area. The paintings were done in natural red and white pigments, which were made using flowers and leaves. As time passed the paintings are seen to get more artistic, curvy and real. Despite the colours being made many years ago they are remarkably clear even today. The paintings made during recent years also show human activities like hunting, drinking, dancing, child-birth and burials. The oldest paintings are believed to be 12,000 years old whereas some of the geometric figures date as recently as the medieval period. Getting There You can visit Bhimbetka caves throughout the year though March to July is considered the best time to be there. Accommodation options are limited near the caves, but Bhopal is only 46 kms away and you can get some good hotels of different budgets. Bhopal is well connected by flights, railways from Mumbai. From Bhopal you could take a taxi or a bus to the caves. The drive should not take you more than an hour. Make sure you spare an entire day for the excursion as more is definitely less when it comes to spending time at this world heritage site. (Pic: Deepti Khanna)