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Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges,
Bhimbetka lies 40 km south of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense
forest and craggy cliffs, over 700 rock shelters were recently discovered,
belonging to the Neolithic age. Here, in vivid, panoramic detail,
paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the prehistoric cave
dwellers, making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure, an
invaluable chronicle in the history of man.
Executed
mainly in red and white with the occasional use of green and yellow, with
themes taken from the every day events of aeons ago, the scenes usually
depict hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animals
fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, disguises, masking and
household scenes. Animals such as bisons, tigers, lions, wild boar,
elephants, deer, antelopes, dogs, monkeys, lizards, crocodiles etc. have
been abundantly depicted. In some caves, popular religious and ritual
symbols also occur frequently. The superimposition of paintings shows that
the same canvas was used by different people at different times.
The drawings and paintings can be classified under seven different
periods:
Period I- (Upper Paleolithic) : These are linear representations,
in green and dark red, of huge figures of animals such as bisons, bears,
tigers, and rhinoceroses.
Period II - (Mesolithic) : Comparatively smaller in size, the
stylized figures in this group show linear decoration on the body. In
addition to animals, this group shows human figures and hunting scenes
giving a clear picture of the weapons they used: barbed spears, pointed
sticks, bows and arrows. The depiction of communal dances, birds, musical
instruments, mother and child, pregnant women, men carrying dead animals,
drinking and burials appear in rhythmic movement.
Period III- (Chaleolithic) : Similar to the paintings of
Chaleolithic pottery, these drawings reveal that during this period the
cave dwellers of this area had come in contact with the agricultural
communities of the Malwa plains and started exchange of their requirements
with each other.
Period IV & V - (Early Historic) : The figures of this group
have a schematic and decorative style, and are painted mainly in red,
white and yellow. The association of riders, depiction of religious
symbols, tunic-like dresses and the existence of scripts of different
periods, classify this group as being within the historical period. The
religious beliefs are represented by figures of Yaksha, tree gods and
magical sky chariots.
Period VI & VII - (Medieval) : These paintings are geometric,
linear and more schematic but they show degeneration and crudeness in
their artistic style, The colors used by the cave dwellers were prepared
by a combination of manganese, hematite, soft red stone and wooden coal.
Sometimes the fat of animals and extracts of leaves were also used in the
mixture. The colors have remained intact for many centuries due to the
chemical reaction resulting from the oxide present on the surface of the
rocks.
How to Reach
By Air : Bhopal (28 km from Bhojpur, and 40 km from Bhimbetka) is
the nearest airport. It is connected with Bombay, Delhi, Indore and
Gwalior. By Rail: Bhopal, on the Delhi-Madras and Delhi-Bombay mainline is
the most convenient rail-head.
By Bus : Both Bhojpur and Bhimbetka are connected by bus with
Bhopal. Bhopal is also the most convenient base for visiting Sanchi.
Best Season : September to March.
Where to Stay in Bhopal
| Hotel Palash (M.P. Tourism) | Tel: 553006, 553076 | Ashok Lake view (ITDC) | Tel: 541600-3 |
| Hotel Panchanan (M.P. Tourism) | Tel: 551647 | Jehan Numa Palace | Tel: 540107-3 |
| Hotel Raj Tilak | Tel: 554102 | Ramsons International | Tel: 75298-9 |
| Youth Hostel | Tel: 553670 | Hotel Mayur | Tel: 50319 |