Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

By: Soumya Jaiswal – Team Wassup Bhopal 

Standing as the witness of the earliest traces of human existence on the Indian subcontinent and the proof of stone age Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are an archaeological site situated at 45 kilometers southeast of Bhopal in Raisen district. Situated in the midst of dense forest and mechanistic rocks lie Bhimbetka which provides the gateway to the midst and mystery of human civilization.

The site has 7 hills and around 750 rock shelters spread over an area of 10 kilometers some of them being more than 100,000 years old. Out of so many shelters, Auditorium cave is the largest and most prominent shelter which is environed by quartzite towers.

The place has a wonderful collection of paintings in over 500 caves. The paintings vividly depict the life of prehistoric dwellers. The weathered cave walls unravel many dark secrets which may have remained mysteries. These innocently painted figures with use of different colors simply make the animals cavalry and infantry come to life. Quite surprisingly the colors of the paintings have retained their shine despite the onslaught of time.

Bhimbetka was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2003. This place will take you back to the time you never knew existed. Today, the rock stands as a mute testimony to the times gone by and the caves speak about the initiation of human existence. This place will leave you awestruck.

Information source:- Wikipedia