Bhimbetka caves

Bhimbetka caves Timings, Paintings, Origin, History

These caves were discovered during 1957 – 58 by the wandering archaeologist V.S.Wakankar. It took 16 years to excavate these caves. Currently, Entry is available for 12 caves out of 600 excavated caves. It is one of the 24 Heritage Sites recognized by the UNESCO in India. It is believed that Pandavas took shelter in these caves after their exile from the kingdom.

Best Time to Visit: Jul – Mar.

Bhimbetka caves Paintings

The rock paintings represent Daily events of Life. Images depict Hunting, Dancing, Music, Animal Fighting, Honey Collection, Decoration of body, Household scenes. The oldest painting is 12,000 years old and the most recent art paintings are of 1000 years old.

Upper Paleolithic (Pre-Historic paintings)

Linear representations of the images. White, Dark Red and Green colour images represent large animals like Bison, Elephant, Rhino and Tiger. Stick like human figures. Red colour used for Hunters and Green Colour used for Dancers.

Mesolithic

Paintings were in small size. Most of the images represent Hunting Scenes. Hunters were painted with simple clothes, ornaments.

Emotional expressions of animals were represented here. Clothed women community dance, Food preparation, Images depict men, women and children.

Chalcolithic

Images depict ideas exchange between Cave Dwellers and Agriculture communities. White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Brown, Green colours were in major. Images depict passion towards storytelling, Hunter and Animal struggle for survival, Power over the animals, Lifestyle and daily events.

Best time to visit: Oct-May 1st week.