Bhimbetka Caves in Bhopal
· Summer: 32°C-45°C
· Winter: 10°C-45°C
· Monsoon: June-September<
Best time to visit:
October-March
Opening Time: 10:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 05:00 p.m.
Weekly Holiday: Open 7 days a week.
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: INR 10
Children:
N/A
Cameras: N/A
Video Camera: N/A
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
INR 100
Children:
N/A
Cameras:
N/A
Video Camera:
N/A
Enclosed in the rustic Vindhyachal ranges, Bhimbetka Caves and rock shelters portray the earliest signs of human race in South Asia. Designated as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the caves boast of rock paintings which date back to more than 30,000 years and classified into periods like Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Chalcolithic, Early Historic and Medieval. The place gets its name from Bhima, one of the five Pandavas who spent some time here during their exile period.
More than 240 caves have been located in the region out of which only 15 are open for public viewing. Done in colours like red, white, green and yellow obtained from sources like animal fats, plant leaves, manganese, soft red stone, wooden coal and hematite, the paintings and drawings depict themes like dancing, hunting, childbirth, animal riding, animal fights and numerous animal figures.
Surrounded by lavish green forests, these rock canvases are a must-visit to explore the earliest days of human evolution.
Warnings
Don’t scratch or damage the cave walls exhibiting valuable paintings.
Connectivites
Road:
The road from Bhopal to Bhimbetka is not in good condition and the journey can be tiring. Public transport buses are overcrowded and they travel only till a T-junction from where the caves are about 4 km. away. It is not easy to get any transport mode to cover the remaining distance. It is recommended to hire a taxi for the whole journey. One needs to climb and trek a lot to explore the place fully.
Railway:
Bhopal Railway Station is located about 40 km. from the caves. Train connections exist between the station and many cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
Airway:
At the distance of about 57 km. from the caves is Raja Bhoj Airport with domestic flights to Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Indore, Kolkata, Raipur and Hyderabad.