Bhimbetka Rock Shelters – Unbelievable Paintings and Stories of Paleolithic

A way to Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

Caves in Bhimbetka

The Bhimbetka rock shelters are situate in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh of India. It is an archaeological site of the Paleolithic demonstrating the ancient notches of human life in the India. These amazing rock shelters and paintings were explored by the Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar in 1957-58.It is a UNESCO World heritage site.

The Bhimbetka rock shelters are the collection of 750 rock shelters from which 500 are inwrought by the paintings. These Stone Age rock paintings are around 30,000 years old. Bhimbetka gets the name Bhimbetka because in the Mahabharata, which is one of the sacred epics of the Hindus, it is written that Bhim or  Bhima used these rock shelters as his sitting place.

Exterior Of A Rock Shelter

It is exactly located over 100 meters above the Deccan traps between the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.There are over 750 rock shelters in this region and more than 400 rock shelters are spread over the five hills in this main area .These five hills are Bineka, Bhimbetka, Bhonrawali,Lakha Juar (east) and Lakha Juar (west).This area is full with dense forest , a cluster of five rock shelters and highly blessed by the natural beauty.

A Tourist Examine the Rock Shelters

These are the showcases continuous sequence of cultures from Paleolithic to the Historical period. These rock structures decorated with the interesting paintings which define the art and culture of ancient people, Hunting, dancing, drinking, various animals, animal fighting, people, childbirth scenes, linear depiction of human figures hunting, warfare and the day to day activities of the men explained by the these painting on the walls of caves.

Red Color Paintings On The Rock

White Color Elephant

White, green, red and yellow are the colors which are used in the paintings. Paintings which are painted with white colors are the oldest paintings. Red colors made painting are less old and basically rd colors painting present the pictures of horses, bow and arrow.

Most of the walls of caves are decorated with colorful paintings. All paintings are ancient but some paintings are more than thousands years old and about the people and animal hunting scenes. Red colors paintings are clearly visible, all yellow and green color paintings are not perfectly visible but only some are visible.

There are some rock shelters which are very popular and special among all. Likes:

Rock Shelter One:

Painting On The Ceiling

This shelter is a cluster of amazing paintings of the historic period. The upper ceiling of this rock shelter has a painting of two elephants. Both elephant has long tusks and smaller elephant is driven by a man, which holding a goad in one hand. There are lots of paintings of men and animals. Each and every painting has a deep story about that period.

 Rock Shelter Three:

Painting In The Rock Shelter Three

This is also known as auditorium due to its huge shape. It is about Thirty nine meters long, four meter wide and seventeen meter high at the western end. This rock shelter has paintings of buffaloes, deer, bulls, a peacock, tiger, and hand print of a child.

Zoo Rock:

Paintings Of Animals On Zoo Rock

“Zoo Rock” is one of the popular rock shelters which are full with the drawings of deer, sambar, bison and elephants. The shape of this shelter is semicircular. There are total 453 figures .Among the 453 figures 252 figures of animals are there. On account of the huge number and variety of animal paintings, it is renowned as Zoo Rock.

View point and river basin:

Tortoise Shaped Rock

This rock is look likes a tortoise.The most of the paintings of this rock shelter based on the geometrical designs.

Boar Rock:

Boar Rock

It is mushroom shaped rock shelter and it popular as Boar rock due to a giant figure painted on the rock surface. Marvelous figures of boar, men and animals have decorated the walls of this shelter.Bhimbetka Rock shelters are really a priceless heritage of India. Paintings of these rock shelters are the showcases of seven historic ancient periods.

See here Madhya Pradesh Heritage sites:

Khajuraho-A UNESCO World Heritage Site In Madhya Pradesh

Sanchi-A Sacred Place Of Lord Buddha and One Of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Of Madhya Pradesh

 

Glimpses of Erotic Sculptures at Khajuraho Group of Monuments

Khajuraho Group of Monuments is located in Madhya Pradesh, India. These groups of monuments are the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples which are basically famous all around the world for their erotic sculptures. The temples were built during the Chandella Dynasty that reached its peak point between 950 and 1050 AD.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Image by John Ubinger on flickr.com

Total area of the complex is enclosed by a wall with eight originates and each of them bordered by two golden palm trees. Originally, there were 85 temples but now only 25 temples remain that falls into three distinct groups namely eastern, western & southern and follows Hinduism and Jainism styles. They scattered in an area of over 20 square kms. A perfect balance displays between the architecture and sculpture of the temples.

One of the many erotic sculptures at Khajuraho Temple
Image by GrandecapoEstiCazzi on flickr.com

The whole complex of Khajuraho illustrates a unique artistic creation, surprising quality, variety of scenes of amusements, sculpted decor of mythological repertory or amusements. All the temples are elegantly decorated on the outside. These temples are world famous for their exceptional art due to which they have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Devi Jagadambi Temple

Some of the temples like Visvanatha, Parsvanatha and Vaidyanatha belong to the period of King Dhanga, who was the successor of Yasovarman. The Jagadambi, Chitragupta, are the most remarkable among the western group of temples of Khajuraho. Other temples are Vamana, Adinatha, Javari, Chaturbhuj and Duladeo, are the smaller temples but designed elegantly.

Lakshmana Temple

The Khajuraho group of monuments and temples are esteemed for soaring terraces and functionally effective plans. The sculptural adornments include besides the clan images of parivara, avarana devatas, dikpalas, apsaras and sura-sundaris and all win universal applause for their exquisite, adolescent female forms of enchanting beauty. The apparel and embellishments embrace the winsome elegance and charisma.

Ercotic sculptures of women
Image by east med wanderer on flickr.com

These temples serve as finest example of Indian architecture that have gained popularity mainly due to their precise depiction of sexual life during medieval time period. These erotic sculptures can be easily locate by anyone on Kandariya Mahadev Temple. The sexual art is located outside the temple or even near the deities. It has been said by many people that the erotic art suggests Tantric practices. Many sculptures, i.e. around 10% display the sexual activities between people rather than among deities. The rest of the sculptures depict the everyday life of the people including women putting on makeup, potters, musicians, farmers, etc.

Sculptures on outside walls of one of the temples

The temple complex also offers an evening light and sound show. The show covers the history, philosophy and the art of sculpting of these temples and so enjoyed by most of the people. Two languages are preferred in the show, i.e. English and Hindi. One can choose according to their comfort and understanding of the language. Thus, nobody forgets any moment spent in Khajuraho temples for their whole life.

 

Intricate Inscriptions on Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

Sanchi is a village in Madhya Pradesh, India. Basically, it is known in India for its popular Buddhist Stupa and its monuments. It is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many monasteries, temples and pillars are located around the famous Sanchi stupa. The intricate carvings on the stupa illustrate the events from the life of Buddha. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site in India.

Sanchi Stupa 1 or the Great Stupa
Image source: wikipedia.org

The great stupa is the oldest stone structure in India and was commissioned by the emperor Ashoka. There are a number of monuments at this place namely Stupa 1, Stupa 3, Pillar 10, Temple 18, Temple 17, Eastern Area Temple, Southern Area Temple, Western Area Monastery, Chetiyagiri Vihara and Archaeological Museum. They are the unrivaled masterpiece of early Buddhist Art. Also, there are ruins of about 50 monuments. Among the ruined monuments, 3 are large stupas, temples, a monastery and monolithic pillars.

Pillar at the northern gate of Stupa 1
Image source: wikipedia.org

Stupa no. 1 is the Great or Principal monument of the place. It has many porticos with stone railings. Decorative work or Torana on the four gateways give it a stunning look. The illustrations located in the decorative work depict the former lives of Buddha. Numerous themes are illustrated there that taken from legends and history. The wonderfully carved inscriptions of plants, animals and humans show the unrivaled skills and art of the earlier times of Buddha.

Buddhist Monastery in Sanchi
Image source: wikipedia.org

All the stupas are crowned with a chhatra. Chhatra is a parasol type structure that symbolizing high rank, peace and honour to the relics of Buddha. Also, temple 17 & 45 and monastery 51 are among the most sojourning structures.

Temple 17 (front) and Temple 18 (behind)
Image source: wikipedia.org

So, the monuments of Sanchi are the worth visiting site and have great historical importance. Emperor Ashoka built many Buddhist monasteries and stupas all over India to spread Buddhism. Many pilgrimage sites are there that correlates with Buddhism and a large number of pilgrims visit them throughout the year.

Shalabhanjika – The most well-known sculpture of Sanchi Complex
Image by jamyang190 on flickr.com