Full-Day Private Tour to Bhojpur and Bhimbetka Caves from Bhopal with Lunch

About 30 miles from Bhopal, the capital of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, lie the historic Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka. A UNESCO World Heritage site, these are five clusters of natural rock shelters that date back to the Mesolithic age. The well preserved paintings in some of these caves are as old as 30,000 years. On this day-excursion from Bhopal visit these caves before continuing your drive to the nearby town of Bhojpur. In Bhojpur visit the 11th century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the biggest lingas (a phallic structure that is a symbol of Shiva) made from a single stone can be seen here.

Highlights
• 30,000 years old cave paintings of Bhimbetka
• 7.5 feet high Shiva lingam at Bhojpur
• 11th century architectural plans engraved on rocks in Bhojpur

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to the foothills of the Vindhyachal mountains where the Mesolithic era Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are situated. There are around 750 Rock Shelters that are to be found on seven hills spread over an area of six miles. These caves contain the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent.

Of the 750 Rock Shelters, 500 contain well preserved cave paintings that dates back 30,000 years ago. These cave paintings bear a striking resemblance to those found in Australia, the Kalahari desert in Africa and Lascaux in France. Spend some time in this historical art gallery marvelling at the skills of these ancient humans. A notable painting in these caves is that of a bison attacking a man. What is noteworthy is that the painting is visible only when the sun is at a certain point in the sky.

After the visit to the caves, take a lunch break (beverage excluded) at a local restaurant.

After lunch drive to the town of Bhojpur, a 45 minute drive away, and visit its celebrated temple that is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. This 11th century temple houses one of the biggest lingas in India and it is made out of a single rock.

For reasons that are still unknown, the construction of this temple was halted midway and it remains incomplete to date. One can see architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks and unfinished materials abandoned at the site. The architectural drawings carved on the rocks and the mason's marks have helped scholars understand the temple construction techniques of 11th-century India.

The temple has been designated as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

At the end of the tour, you will be driven back to Bhopal and dropped off at your hotel.