Bhimbekta
Cave paintings in BhimbektaWikipedia

For the science enthusiasts and people who are fascinated by the history of human civilization, travelling to a place which still has the remnants of the work done by earliest human beings is like a dream come true.

Whether it is the Pyramids of Egypt or Stonehenge in England, all these places have left the modern humans awestruck. One such UNESCO world heritage site is in India, just a few kilometres away from the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

Bhimbekta caves, lying in the foothills of Vindhya Mountains along the Bhopal-Hoshangabad Highway, are a major tourist attraction for leisure travellers and history aficionados.

Why visit Bhimbekta?

The biggest attraction that Bhimbekta offers is the cave paintings which dates back to approximately 15,000 years. There are also paintings from different ages which are proof of the fact that humans resided in the caves for a long period.

The caves were discovered by accident in 1957 when archaeologist Dr Vishnu Wakankar from Vikram University strayed from his path and found hints of a prehistoric culture remains. It was followed by excavations and unearthing of the breathtaking treasure that lay buried there.

Bhimbekta also has a mythological connection as it derives its name from Bhima, one of the Pandavas, the central characters in Mahabharata. It is believed that after being banished from their kingdom, the Pandavas came and stayed in these caves.

How to reach there?

The place is a world heritage site and is connected with rest of the country by a well-maintained road network. If you wish to visit Bhimbekta, the best option is to reach Bhopal via a train or flight and from there you can avail the services of a bus, auto or taxi to reach the place.

The spot is located at a distance of only 48 kilometres from Bhopal airport. If you are also planning to stay and explore nearby places, it would be a good option to find a hotel or guest house in Bhopal.