Kaimur Hills: A Hidden Gem of Bihar

Kaimur hills (In pic- Shergarh fort and durgawati river)

If you are looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the beauty of nature, then Kaimur Hills in Rohtas district of Bihar is the perfect destination for you. Kaimur Hills are part of the ancient Vindhya Range that stretches from Madhya Pradesh to Bihar. They are rich in history, culture, wildlife and scenic beauty.Kaimur Hills have something for everyone. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, an adventure seeker or a spiritual seeker, you will find something to interest you here. Here are some of the attractions that you can explore in Kaimur Hills:

Prehistoric rock shelters: Kaimur Hills have more than 500 prehistoric rock shelters that date back to even earlier than 10,000 B.C. These rock shelters contain paintings that depict the life and culture of our early ancestors. You can see animals, humans, hunting scenes, geometric patterns and symbols on these paintings. Some of the famous rock shelters are at Bhimbetka, Lakhania and Saraiya.

**Ancient temples:** Kaimur Hills also have several ancient temples that belong to Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Some of these temples are still in worship while others are in ruins. One of the oldest temples is the Mundeshwari Temple, which is believed to be built in 108 A.D. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva and has a unique octagonal shape. Other temples include the Tara Chandi Temple, the Baidyanath Temple and the Mahadev Temple.

**Forts and palaces:** Kaimur Hills have witnessed many battles and wars in history and have several forts and palaces that reflect the glory and power of the rulers. The most famous fort is the Rohtasgarh Fort, which was built by Raja Harishchandra in the 7th century A.D. It is one of the largest forts in India and has many structures such as gates, bastions, palaces, mosques and temples within its premises. Another fort is the Shergarh Fort, which was built by Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century A.D. It has a massive wall that encloses a palace, a mosque and a tomb.

Waterfalls and gorges: Kaimur Hills are blessed with many waterfalls and gorges that add to their beauty and charm. The waterfalls are especially spectacular during the monsoon season when they gush down with full force. Some of the popular waterfalls are Karkatgarh Falls, Dhuan Kund Falls, Telhara Kund Falls, Amjhor Falls and Tutrahi Falls. The gorges are deep and narrow valleys that are formed by rivers cutting through the rocks. Some of the notable gorges are Rohtasgarh Gorge, Sasaram Gorge and Karamnasa Gorge.

Wildlife sanctuary: Kaimur Hills are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that make up the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary covers an area of about 1342 sq km and has many species of animals, birds, reptiles and plants. Some of the animals that you can spot here are leopards, sloth bears, nilgai, chinkara, sambar, wild boar, langur and rhesus monkey. The sanctuary also has many migratory birds that visit during winter such as sarus crane, bar-headed goose, pintail duck and spot-billed duck.

How to reach Kaimur Hills?

Kaimur Hills are located in Rohtas district of Bihar, which is about 300 km from Patna, the state capital. You can reach Kaimur Hills by various modes of transport such as:

By air: The nearest airport is Varanasi Airport (VNS), which is about 150 km from Kaimur Hills. You can take a flight from Delhi (DEL) or other major cities to Varanasi and then take a taxi to Kaimur Hills. Alternatively, you can also fly to Patna or Gaya airport which is about 200 km from Kaimur Hills and then take a taxi.
By train: The nearest railway station is Sasaram and Bhabhua Road which is about 40 km from Kaimur Hills. You can take a train from Delhi (NDLS) or other major cities and then take a taxi to Kaimur Hills. Alternatively, you can also take a train to Varanasi, Gaya, Patna and take a taxi.
By road: You can also drive to Kaimur Hills from Delhi or other cities. The distance from Delhi to Kaimur Hills is about 800 km and it takes about 11 hours to reach by car. You can follow the route of Delhi-Agra-Kanpur-Allahabad-Mirzapur- varanasi- Bhabhua Road- Sasaram.

Kaimur Hills are a treasure trove of natural and cultural wonders that await you to discover them. So pack your bags and head to this amazing place for an unforgettable experience.

Explore more: 1. bing.com 2. facebook.com 3. tourism.bihar.gov.in 4. tripadvisor.in 5. rohtaswildlife.in 6. tourmet.com