You can clearly see the passage of history and time in the caves and natural shelters in Bhimbetka. Located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, there are about 750 rock shelters spanning an area of 10 kms.
Situated at the foothills of the Vindhya range in central India, the rock caves are believed to be the oldest petroglyphs in the world, dating back to the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods when humans had a hunter-gatherer life. The rock art and relicts depict these traditions, some of which are still practiced by the local adivasi people of the region.This UNESCO World Heritage Site was accidentally discovered by archaeologist Dr. Vishnu Wakankar in 1957.
Bhimbetka roughly translates into &lsquoBhim&rsquos Resting Place&rsquo or &lsquoBhim&rsquos Lounge&rsquo. The name comes from the mythological character of Bhim from the Mahabharat. Local lore says that he rested here after being exiled along with his other Pandava brothers.
The place feels like you are in one of the world's oldest and most beautiful art galleries. The paintings offer a window into the minds of our forebears, and reiterate a critical role that art has played in our evolution.