Jogimara and Sitabenga caves, Chhattisgarh

Surguja district, India

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Situated in the Ramgarh hills of Puta village in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, the Sitabenga and Jogimara caves are ancient rock-cut monuments dating from the 3rd to 1st century BCE. Partly natural and partly sculpted, they are distinguished by non-religious inscriptions in Brahmi script and Magadhi language, and contain some of Asia's oldest colored frescoes. The Sitabenga cave has been interpreted by some scholars as the oldest performance theatre on the Indian subcontinent, though others contend it may have functioned as a resting place along a trade route. The Jogimara inscription remains contested: one reading interprets it as love-graffiti between a boy and girl, while another suggests it records a collaboration between a female dancer and male sculptor-painter. The site bears legendary associations with the Ramayana, and later temple artwork from the 8th to 12th century relates to that epic tradition. Recognized as a Monument of National Importance, these caves hold significance for their enigmatic historical and cultural records.

Movement

rock-cut architecture

Type: heritage site, architectural structure
Heritage: Monument of National Importance
Place: Surguja district, India

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Location

22.89829, 82.92926