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Bhimbetka
Bhimbetka
30,000+
Years of Art
750+
Rock Shelters
500+
Painted Caves
2003
UNESCO Inscribed
About Bhimbetka
A 30,000-year-old gallery in the Vindhyan hills
Bhimbetka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Vindhyan foothills, 45 km south of Bhopal. It is among the oldest known evidences of human life in the Indian subcontinent.
The site has over 750 rock shelters, of which 500+ carry paintings from the Mesolithic period right up to medieval times.
At a Glance
Key facts and the best way to experience Bhimbetka
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Location
Raisen District, MP — 45 km south of Bhopal
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Best Season
October–March
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Famous For
World Heritage rock art
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Time Needed
Half-day from Bhopal
Heritage & Legacy
A timeline of devotion, history and natural majesty
30,000 BCE — Earliest Paintings
Some surfaces carry Upper Palaeolithic pigments — among the earliest human art on Earth.
Mesolithic Period
Most surviving paintings belong to the Mesolithic — stylised hunters, dancers and animals.
Mahabharata Legend
'Bhimbetka' comes from Bhima, said to have rested here during the Pandavas' exile.
1957 — Modern Discovery
Archaeologist V. S. Wakankar discovered the shelters while passing by train.
2003 — World Heritage
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Top Attractions in Bhimbetka
Must-see places on your visit
The Painted Trail
A marked path through 15 spectacular shelters guided by ASI signage.
Auditorium Cave
A vast natural cathedral of stone with paintings layered across millennia.
Zoo Rock Shelter
A single rock face crowded with over 250 animal figures.
Boar Rock
Tiger & Lion Shelter
Hunter Shelter
Dance Scene Shelter
Sal Forest Trail
Bhojpur Shiva Temple
Ratapani Sanctuary
Vindhyan Viewpoint
How to Reach Bhimbetka
Well connected by road, rail and air across Madhya Pradesh
By Train
Nearest station is Bhopal Junction (45 km) or Rani Kamlapati (40 km).
By Air
Nearest airport is Bhopal — Raja Bhoj (50 km).
By Bus / Road
Day-trip by car or taxi from Bhopal via NH-46.
Places of Interest
Explore curated experiences around Bhimbetka
Plan Your Bhimbetka Trip Today
M.P. Holidays — your trusted Madhya Pradesh travel partner since 2016 — designs seamless Bhimbetka itineraries, hotels and transport.
GET IN TOUCH
Certificate of Excellence for Year 2016
Certificate of Excellence for Year 2017
Certificate of Excellence for Year 2018
With Hon'ble Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan
