Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, Bhimbetka lies 46 km South of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were recently discovered. Here, in vivid panoramic detail, paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the pre-historic cave-dwellers making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure, an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.

Bhimbetka is located at a distance of 46km. to the south of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Bordered by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, Bhimbetka is a rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs. Apart from the mystic beauty of nature, what brings Bhimbetka on the tourist map is the discovery of over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age. Here, paintings in over 500 caves depict in vivid panoramic detail the life of the pre-historic man. An archaeological treasure, this region has been declared a world Heritage site.

This is the exclusive tourist attraction in the place. Done mainly in red and white with the casual use of green and yellow, the scenes of the cave paintings usually depict everyday events like hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animals fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, disguises, masking and household scenes. Animals have been depicted in some caves. Popular religious and ritual symbols also occur frequently. The drawings and paintings can be classified under seven different periods.

Bhimbetka, a historically well known location in Madhya Pradesh is located about 45 kilometers from Bhopal. Bhimbetka is known to have the first traces of human existence in India. Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Bhimbetka Caves were undiscovered till recently when it was found hidden in the midst of thick vegetation and dense forest.

It is believed that Bhima, one of the five Pandavas of Mahabharata, the Hindu Epic is associated with the location. Bhimbetka is hence named after Bhima.

The Bhimbetka Caves or rock shelters in Bhimbetka have ancient prehistoric aboriginal paintings depicting the lives and times of people of the Stone Age, living in these caves. The scenes painted on the walls include animals around by them like wild buffalo, tigers, and rhinoceros. The scenes also depict their lives like dance, religious rituals and childbirth. Other paintings depict the tools they used for cooking, hunting and other purposes. The natural colors used by them like red and white pigments from vegetable dye are preserved till date. The oldest painting of the Bhimbetka Caves dates back to more than 12000 years. There are more than 700 caves and some of the paintings belong to the Paleolithic Age while others are a few thousand years old. Those belonging to the Stone Age, painted on the walls and ceilings of the caves. It is seen that some of the most magnificent paintings are done at a height like the ceiling of the rock shelter.

These are mainly linear images in green and dark red, of huge figures of animals such as bison, tigers and rhinoceros.

Smaller in size, the figures show linear decoration of the body. Apart from animals, there are human figures and hunting scenes giving a clear picture of the weapons they used. The depiction of communal dances, birds, musical instruments, men and women, drinking and burials appear in rhythmic movement.These drawings reveal the fact that the cave dwellers of this area had come in contact with the agricultural communities of the Malwa plains and exchanged their requirements with each other.

Painted mainly in red, white and yellow, the paintings depict religious symbols, tunic-like dresses and the existence of scripts of different periods. Figures of yakshas, tree gods and magical sky chariots reflect their religious beliefs.

These paintings are geometric, linear and more schematic. But, the delicateness in their artistic style seems to be somewhat lost.

The nearest airport is in Bhopal which is 40kms. away. It is connected with Mumbai, Delhi, Indore and Gwalior

Bhopal, on the Delhi-Madras and Delhi-Mumbai mainline is the most convenient railway station.

Bhimbetka is connected by bus with Bhopal.