Bhopal – 45km/95 minutes – Bhimbetka – Bhojpur 24km/53 minutes – Bhopal – 58km/105 minutes – Udayagiri
Route (2N/3D)
Time has stood still at Madhya Pradesh’s rock shelters and cave temples preserving every detail of life and times gone by. An amazing record of history.
Day 1: Bhopal– Bhimbetka
Arrive in Bhopal and proceed to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhimbetka. Set amidst the dense forests of the Ratapani Sanctuary, the huge sandstone rocks of the Vindhya Range are prehistoric rock shelters. Rock paintings and excavations show that the area was a site of early human settlement, dating back to the Palaeolithic Age. While the towering sandstone outcrops are geological marvels themselves, it is fascinating to see the well-preserved paintings at the 15 rock shelters that are open to public. The art features animals and hunting scenes, painted using natural reds and whites made from rocks and trees. Zoo Rock, aptly named, is a particularly intriguing shelter, featuring paintings of a range of wildlife such as bison, boar, deer, and elephants on one rocky canvas. The rock paintings resemble Upper Paleolithic Lascaux cave paintings in France. Spend a few hours wandering through the craggy landscape, and grab lunch at the MP Tourism-run Highway Treat nearby.
The Bhojeshwar temple, Bhojpur, is a slight detour from the rock shelters on the way back to Bhopal. Set amidst beautiful, lush green and well-maintained surroundings, the temple houses one of the largest Shivlings in India. The temple’s construction is believed to have started in the 11th century, during the reign of the Paramara king – Bhoja.
Head back to Bhopal and check in to the Noor-Us-Sabah Palace hotel – a former residential palace of the begums of Bhopal – for a luxurious stay. Try the Bhopali specialities like Chicken Rizala at the hotel’s Za-aiqa restaurant before turning in for the night.
Day 2: Bhopal – Udayagiri
After breakfast at the hotel, spend the morning at Bhopal’s State Museum, learning about the region’s archaeology and history. On display are tools from Bhimbetka, ancient fossils from the Narmada Valley, and implements from the Palaeolithic Age.
Proceed onwards to Udayagiri, where some of India’s oldest cave temples are located. A series of 20 Gupta-era caves are tucked into a sandstone hill, with sculptures, inscriptions, and carvings. The landscape is as fascinating as the ancient cave temples: weathered stacks of dark sandstone rise sharply from the ground in unique formations. With a flat-topped stone roof distinctly resembling a skillet, the first cave is named Tawa Cave. When the sun hits the rock, you can cook a roti (Indian bread) on it, goes the local joke. Follow the winding path all the way up to the hill until you reach a rocky escarpment with a sweeping 360-degree view of the forested hills and valleys around Udayagiri. Head back to Bhopal by sundown for dinner at your hotel.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Highway Treat, Bhimbetka
Address: Hoshangabad Road, Banskuwar, Madhya Pradesh
Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Bhopal
Address: VIP Road, Koh-E-Fiza, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Website: http://noorussabahpalace.com
Tel: 07554223333
Tariff: Double room starts at INR7,500/- inclusive of Breakfast
Bhimbetka
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Entry Fees: INR300 per car; INR25 per person (on foot)
Bhojeshwar Temple
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Entry Fees: Free
State Museum, Bhopal
Timings: Tue–Sun 10.30am to 5.30pm; Closed on Mondays
Entry Fees: INR20 per person
Address: Shyamla Hills Road, Shymala Hills, Bhopal
Udayagiri Caves
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Entry Fees: INR25 per person