INTRODUCTION
Bhimbetka rock shelter close to Bhopal city represents a rare primary prehistoric site. It is one of the most ancient in the world in its pristine state. It is a living site set in its natural environment. It introduces us into prehistoric art and artistic paintings and also the mindset and prevailing circumstances. Elements of continuity are manifest in the creative expressions that show affinity to great antiquity in the traditional lifestyles of the area integral to Bhimbetka and the surrounding areas. The hill range of Bhimbetka that contains painted rock-shelters rises over 600 meters above the mean sea level. Rock shelters are spread over 1892 hectares of core area comprising of 05 hills namely Bineka, Bhonrawali, Bhimbetka, Lakha Juar (east) and Lakha Juar (West). The Bhimbetka group of hills is formed of sandstone of the Lower Bhander Group of the Vindhyan Super Group, the oldest geological formation. This rage runs east-west for length of more than 08 kms. Count of rock shelters in Bhimbetka goes over 700 rock shelters in its environment. It is the largest hill in this range. Archaeological evidence at Bhimbetka show continuous sequence of cultures from Paleolithic to the Historical period. Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh state in Central India has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in year 2003 on the basis of 02 criteria: 1. Bhimbetka reflects a long interaction between people and the landscape, as demonstrated in the quality and quantity of its rock art. 2. Bhimbetka is closely associated with a hunting and gathering economy as demonstrated in the rock art and in the relics of this tradition in the local adivasi villages on the periphery of this site. Executed mainly in red and white with the occasional use of green and yellow, with themes taken from everyday events, the scenes usually depict hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders etc. Animals such as bison, tigers, lions, wild boar, elephants, antelopes, dogs, lizard etc have been depicted in some of the caves. More than a dozen rock shelters on Bhimbetka Hill can be approached by the visitor. Proper pathways are constructed to visit these few shelters. However there are no pathways for other shelters on the hill. Take a proper guide if you want to explore those rock shelters.
9202337070
9202337070