Friday, May 29, 2009

Bhimbetka Caves


The Caves have archeological significance as they depict 7 different periods of history. These paintings can be divided into five major historical periods:

[1] Upper Paleolitic - Old Stone Age You can find here the wild animals painted on the walls. There are huge figures of bisons, deer tigers and rihnoceroses make the major part of these paleolithic paintings. [2] Mesolithic Paintings The paintings now are more refined with linear decorations on the body of human beings, hunting scenes, music and dance festivals. [3] Chaleolithic Period These paintings depict the mixing up of the cave man with the agricultural communities of the Malwa Plains. [4] Early histotric You can see the drawings of yaksh, tree gods and sky chariots.Painted mainly in red and yellow these depict the riders, tunic like dresses, scripts and religious symbols. [5] Medieval Period Geometric and schematic pictures paintings. But these paintings show crudeness in their artistic style.In these cave paintings the use of crude chipped stone tools has been done in abundance along with the use of twig brushes dipped into charcoal and plant extracts has been done here. What is most interesting is the existence of these paintings even after such long period! Also these paintings on the bear resemblance to the Upper Palelithic Lascaux cave Paintings in France and Kakadu National Park in Australia.

Photo courtesy: i.pbase

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Pataleshwar Caves


It’s not a cave in the actual sense but rather it is a Shiva Temple. The carvings on the outer building is of basalt. This black basalt rock has been carved out in the form of a cave with a cube shaped room. It is this room where the lingam (the statue of Shiva) is situated. There is a bell made out of brass which hangs at the entrance of the temple. There at the entrance is the circular arrangement of white stones with Nadi Bull (ride of Lord Shiva) standing there. Inside the temple besides the lingam there are also the beautiful statues of Lord Rama, his better half Sita, and his brother Laxman.

Photo courtesy: static.flickr

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves


The most important of all the caves is the Ranigumpha in Udayagiri - a double storeyed monastry. These caves are ornately carved with scriptures on it. Out of these Rani Ki Naur is a beautifully carved cave with sculptural friezes. There are Hathigumpha (Elephant cave) and Bramhi inscriptions on the caves. These inscriptions comprise of seventeen lines have been carved in deep cut Brahmi Language of the 1st Century BC. These lines describe out the relics of the then King uptill 12 years of his reign.

Photo courtesy:
travelpod

Monday, May 18, 2009

Nellitheertha Caves


You can find an interesting part here is the presence of a natural cave. Inside that cave there is the Temple of Lord Shiva. In this the lingam of the Lord Shiva has been made as Ardhnareshwara. Near the temple you can find a beautiful lake which gives a beautiful scenic beauty to the place. Inspite of the entrance of the cave which is wide and has a lot of space in width, one has to crawl to enter the cave. You will be crawling there at about 300-400mts. And after there is a beautiful lake.

They said that you can see a lot of mud inside the cave which is supposed to have healing qualities.There is a small path which leads you to the second cave. It’s a rough terrain as those who have ventured inside talk of extreme walk. Inside the cave drops of water in the form of gooseberries (amla) keep raining. Some say that the lake besides the temple is made up of these drops only! And so is its name Nelli (Amla) Theertha (Holy water).
Photo courtesy: samasya

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mandapeshwar Caves


Mandapeshwar Caves are the simple ones which doesn’t have those ornamental carvings. When you are at the entrance of the cave you will notice there the bell which made of brass that are hanged with strings. There nearby a light lamp lits day and night with a smaller one made of brass is kept just a few steps away.

The cave is divided by pillars. There are eight huge parts of the main cave. Inside, the main cave has the Lingam Of Lord Shiva (Statue of the God of Destruction). Prayers are held here by the Hindu Priests. Inside the temple there is a water tank.
Photo courtesy: mumbaimirror