Cave Paintings - Rock Shelters of Bhimbhetka, Bhopal, MP

Cave Paintings / Rock Shelters of Bhimbhetka
A UNESCO World Heritage Site - an archaeological site of the Paleolithic Age, hence the beginning of the South Asian Stone Age.

These shelters are supposed to be the earliest  known traces of human settlements in India. 

They were definitely worth the effort of the journey.

Driving from Kamptee (Nagpur) to Bhopal, via Khaparkheda, Nagpur. 
Distance: about 350 kms
Lies some 45 kms short of Bhopal. 
No decent toilets or eating joints on the way before Betul. Be prepared for that.

 

The paintings can be seen in various layers with each having been added over time, in different ages. A difference in style can be noticed distinctly.

Two layers of drawings/paintings .... older ones in white, newer ones in shades of ochre. 

Same cave enlarged.....

 

Herds ....

A hunting scene...

 The only scene showing a wild animal chasing a human........

 

Just chilling.......

 

Some more......

 

Older paintings..

Horses, elephants and what looked like round alien ships to me..........

What did these circular figures represent - alien ships maybe ....hmmmm.
Getting fanciful here  :)

Cupules.....
Their purpose it still unknown .....

 

Have fun!!!

Hidden Gems - Kapoor Baoli, Ramtek, Nagpur.

Nestled in a dip in the hills near Ramtek Temple, Nagpur, is the cool waterbody of Kapoor Baoli.

 A baoli, by definition, is a step-well found mostly in the arid regions of western India. These are ponds or wells where the water level is reached by climbing down steps. They served not only as water sources but must have been a cool sanctuary in the middle of a long, hot journey. 
(Also called bawdi, vaav, bawadi, baudi, barav, around India.) 
This one, Kapoor Baoli, is small but nestled in the shade it must have provided cool relief in the scorching summer heat since centuries.
It makes so much sense to have these water bodies away from the direct heat of the sun.

 The temple attached to it......

.......

.....

 Harvesting water chestnuts in another pond nearby.

 Enjoy!!!!!

Tsunami Train .... A Grim reminder, Sri Lanka

As you drive from Colombo to Galle, about 100 kms out of Colombo, you come across this grim reminder at Hikkaduwa - a reminder of the tsunami that hit the coast of Sri Lanka.

On that fateful day the train, going from Colombo to Galle, stopped at Hikkaduwa as the driver saw vehicles strewn on the tracks. That's when the first wave had hit. People climbed on to the train thinking it would be safe but the second bigger wave proved to be fatal resulting in huge casualties.

The battered train stands as a grim memorial to the lives lost in this tragedy. 

..................