HATHI TOL, Raisen
23.316700,77.616700
Description
The »Hathi Tol« at Jarat (note 1) is one of the »Major Rock Shelter Groups« with rock art in the Bhimbetka - Bhopal area (JACOBSON, J 1980: 74). ETYMOLOGY: "Hathi" is the word for an elephant and "tol" signifies a school. SITUATION: In the vicinity of N23°19': E77°37' (unspecified map datum probably Everest 1830): 472 m asl (modified from 1550 feet, JACOBSON, J 1980: 74 table 2), somewhere near a village of »Jarat« in the Raisen tahsil of Raisen district (JACOBSON, J 1980: 74 table 2), and a short distance south-west (note 2) of Raisen town (N23°20': E77°48') in the Bhimbetka - Bhopal area (JACOBSON, J 1980: 69 map 1). POSITION: (unspecified map datum probably Everest 1830) N23°19': E77°37': »1550 feet« or 472 m asl (JACOBSON, J 1980: 74 table 2). APPROACH: The village of Ramchajjia, which renowned for a burial site (darga, ziarat) venerated by Muslim pilgrims, lies between Bhopal (23°16'N: 77°24'E) and Raisen (N23°20': E077°48'). A track from the village centre leads 500 m north-west to a rock with an illustration depicting Shiva. Further north rise huge rocks which shelters not only a rock art site showing a group of dancing people but also the group of rocks known as Hathi Tol (after KREUZER, G 1976: 19). CULTURAL HISTORY - rock art: Paintings of animals, each about 30 cm high, depicted in red and white colours, show mostly deer but also elephants, antelopes, rhinoceroses, and deer. A unique painting shows a pregnant antelope with a tiny elephant inside its belly. Till today the people tell the story of the antelope that fell in love with an elephant bull (after KREUZER, G 1976: 19).
NOTE 1: There is a –>Hathi Daul at Rampur in Panna district. NOTE 2: Hathi Tol (N23°19': E077°37' JACOBSON; J 1980: 74 table 2) lies about 5 km in a direct line west-south-west of the town of Raisen (N23°20': E77°48' nima.mil/geonames, accessed 16.11.2003).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 | SATKUNDA ROCK SHELTERS | ||
| 6.5 | KHARWAI SHELTERS | ||
| 6.5 | IDGAH ROCK SHELTERS | ||
| 6.5 | DHARMAPURI SHELTERS | ||
| 15.3 | RAMACHHAJJA ROCK SHELTERS | ||
| 15.3 | RAM-CHHAJJA ROCK-SHELTERS | ||
| 15.5 | GHATLA ROCK SHELTERS | ||
| 15.5 | GOPALPUR ROCK SHELTER | ||
| 15.5 | GADARIATOLA SHELTER |