Bhimbetka

Cave paintings at Bhimbetka

Bhimbetka is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Understand

History

This site is prehistoric, dating to about 100,000 years ago. In 1957, Mr. V. S. Wakankar saw these rock shelters and found similar shelters with a team of archaeologists.

Climate

The climate is pretty hot in the summers of India. So try to visit this place only during winters from October to February. You will not be able to enjoy the sightseeing in the summers as much.

Get in

Bhimbetka is around 70 km away from Bhopal. You can reach here in one hour on a bike or in a car. Nearest airport is Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal. You can also catch a local bus heading for Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad). But it won't take you to the Bhimbetka rock shelter. You have to get down at the turn on the main road, and from there either get an auto or walk. Don't walk from there as the ticket counter, and then the main site is 5km away from the road.

Fees and permits

If you have a two wheeler bike, the fee is ₹100 per bike.

If you are walking, the fee is ₹25 per Indian and ₹500 per foreign national. (The rock shelters are pretty far away from the ticket counter. About 2 km. So it is better that you visit this place on a bike or in a car. Walking is discouraged.)

If you have a car, the fee is ₹300 per car.

See

Rock paintings at Bhimbetka

Bhimbetka rock caves

The rock shelters have amazing 30,000-year-old paintings made by prehistoric hunter-gatherers that lived around here.

Eat

Please carry something to eat with you when you are visiting Bhimbetka. There is nothing there except a small canteen which is just set up there as a formality. Eating is not allowed when you enter the site, so you can eat outside before you enter or after coming out.

Drink

Similarly, there is not a single water dispenser on the site as of February 2018. Please carry multiple water bottles with you which are allowed. You will need them when you get thirsty soon by walking around in the hot weather.

Sleep

Lodging

You have to stay in Bhopal. There is nothing around here to stay in.

Camping

Camping is not allowed.

Stay safe

Stay on the paved path to visit all the 15 rock shelters. Don't go strolling in the woods which surround this site. There can be poisonous snakes, so beware.

Go next

After you are done here, go next to Sanchi Stupa, 100 km from Bhimbetka. You can visit both the Bhimbetka and Sanchi, both of which are World Heritage Sites, in a single day comfortably.