INTRODUCTION

Bhimbetka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, group of rock shelter painting, an archeological treasure. It is close (45kms) to Bhopal city of Madhya Pradesh State. Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhya ranges, Bhimbetka lies 45 kms south of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest & craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age recently discovered. The paintings in 500 caves mainly executed in red & white with occasional use of green & yellow with themes taken from the everyday events of aeons ago, the scenes & painting in the caves depicts the daily chores of that age.

BHIMBETKA HISTORY

These rock shelters are dated back from pre Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. It was the period of stone age starting at the Acheulian time. When we visit this site, located on Vindhyan mountains, we will realize that humans of those time, tried to reflect their daily life in the form of pictures. For many centuries, Bhimbetka remain an un-disclosed site to rest of the world and remain surrounded by dense forest of Ratapani wildlife sanctuary. It was first mentioned on record, during British India period when W. Kincaid mentioned about these rock shelters in his scholarly papers in year 1888. As per his records, it is believed that he has not personally visited this site and relying on the information gathered from local tribal people, he described this site as "Buddhist Site". This site was first personally visited by archeologist Mr. V. S. Wakankar, in year 1957, who noted these unusual rock formations and visited some of the caves. He was Indian Archeologist with full name as Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar (04/May/1919 - 03/April/1988). Through his visit, he realized its pre-historic significance and found them similar to what he has seen in Spain and France. After his first visit, he re-visited the site with team of archeologists and reported several pre-historic rock shelters and thus these caves came into knowledge of world.

TOURISM

Now a days, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are located in Ratapani forest area thus in order to reach this site, we have to drive through forest area, by paying their entrance fee. Due to surrounding forest, it is a peaceful side, surrounded by nature, with no human disturbance. It is open for tourists, from sunrise to sunset, in all days of a week. Here basic amenities are available to tourists. In order to understand the history and importance of this UNESCO World Heritage site, guide facility is also available. Due to very limited guides, we suggest to do advance booking for guide to avoid any inconvenience.

HOW TO REACH

By Air: Nearest airport to reach Bhimbetka rock shelters is Bhopal Airport in Madhya Pradesh State.  It is approx. 55 kms from this site and well connected by road. Bhopal airport have good flights connectivity from important cities of India thus tourists can conveniently fly to Bhopal for visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site.
By Train: Bhopal railway station is the important railway station to visit Bhimbetka as for further surface journey, one can find taxi service easily. Similarly Itarsi Railway Station is another important railway station for reaching Bhimbetka rock shelters.

By Road: Bhopal is best suitable place to reach for visiting Bhimbetka rock shelters. It is just 50 kms from Bhopal city. Similarly tourist visiting Pachmarhi, Jabalpur, Satpura National Park may also visit this World Heritage Site on the way to their destination.

CLIMATE & WEATHER

Bhimbetka rock shelters are in Ratapani tiger reserve forest area thus here we can find pleasant weather with natural surrounding. Here winter begins from November to February in which temperature dips to 3°C in morning hours but daytime is good. After winters, summer season begins with almost with the end of March month and goes till July month. April-May-June is the period of peak summers when temperature rises to 40°C or more. It is the time of heat waves due to which tourist arrival drops. After summers, monsoon reaches in mid of July month and it is good time to visit this place to enjoy natural greenery.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Bhimbetka rock shelters are open for visitors in day time, throughout the year. So as per convenience, one can visit this world heritage site in any season. Considering the climate, we recommend to visit Bhimbetka site from October to April during which most of the tourists undertakes tours of Madhya Pradesh. As these are ancient rock paintings so our suggestion is to visit this site in sunny day time so that we can see the images in day light and understand them in better way.

ACCOMMODATION

If you are visiting this site, then you have nearest accommodation option at MPSTDC hotel, close to these rock shelters, on the way to this site. It is a small hotel so if you can manage with small hotel then it is good option. If you are looking for some better option in luxury category, then our suggestion is to use Bhopal city hotels.

NEXT TO BHIMBETKA

After visiting Bhimbetka, tourists can move ahead to Pachmarhi, Satpura national park, Sanchi etc. Some more destinations can be covered, as per direction of tour. If you are moving towards, Indore sector then Ujjain could be our next destination. If you are moving towards Khajuraho/ Gwalior then we recommend to visit Chanderi as next best place to visit. If tourists are from Bhopal city then they have the option to visit famous Bhojpur temple.