Khyati Kumar shares her unforgettable rainy-day visit to the Ushakothi Ancient Rock Paintings Site in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, where nature, history, art and personal learning came together in a deeply moving experience.

Sunday, 5 July 2026, will always remain special for me. It was not just a visit to a historic place. It was a day of learning, wonder, adventure, and deep personal connection with nature, art, and history. I had never before experienced such a beautiful natural setting. The rain, the hills, the forest, and the ancient rock paintings together made the day unforgettable.

Ushakothi Rock Paintings Site Near Raigarh

Ushakothi is located on the Karmagarh hill, on the right side of Hamirpur Road, near Raigarh in Chhattisgarh. It is hardly 20 kilometres from Raigarh, where I live and studied. It is also my birth place. Though it is so close to my city, I had never explored it before. This made me realise that sometimes great heritage is not very far from us. It is often waiting quietly near our own home.

Raigarh’s Hidden Heritage

Raigarh is known for its rich culture, Chakradhar Samaroh, forests, elephant corridor, industries, and ancient rock painting sites. Around Raigarh, there are other important prehistoric sites such as Kabrapahad and Singhanpur Cave. Still, I feel that Raigarh remains unexplored for me in many ways. This visit made me more curious about my own region. I felt that I must see, learn, and document more about the heritage around me.

All photos by Khyati Kumar of the Ushakothi Rock Paintings Site of Raigarh

Ancient Painted Stories

The Ushakothi Ancient Rock Paintings site is located about 3 kilometres from the main road. Reaching it requires walking through a secluded forest trail, which can be both challenging and intimidating. It is advisable to visit the site in a group rather than alone, as the remote surroundings make group travel a much safer and more enjoyable experience.

When I reached the rock shelter and saw the ancient paintings, I felt emotional. These were not ordinary drawings. They were messages from people who lived thousands of years ago. Every line, figure, symbol, animal form, and pattern seemed to carry a story. I tried to imagine their lives. How did they live? What did they see? What did they feel? Why did they paint these forms on rocks? These questions kept coming to my mind.

Classroom Became Alive

As a Humanities student, I had studied prehistoric art in Classes 11 and 12. I had read about rock paintings, early humans, cave life, and the development of human expression. But reading in books and seeing something in real life are completely different experiences. Standing before the real rock paintings made my learning come alive. It felt as if my classroom had moved into the forest. I could connect my studies with a living heritage site.

Precious Half Day

I spent half a day at Ushakothi rock shelter. I looked at the paintings again and again. I observed the red, white, and yellow colours. I noticed human figures, animals, birds, reptiles, natural forms, agricultural shapes, and geometric patterns. Some paintings were clear. Some had faded with time. Some were simple. Some were complex. I tried to see each and every creation carefully. I also captured so many rare images through my camera.

Silent Personal Moment

There were moments when I did not speak at all. I simply stood there and looked at the paintings again and again. I had no words. I have only deep regards for my Ancestors. At the same time, around me there was rain, forest, rocks, and silence. I was safe in the big open cave. In front of me, there were ancient images made by human hands long ago. That silence was very powerful. It made me feel connected to people I had never met, people who lived in a completely different time, but still expressed themselves through art.

Ancestors Creative Spirit

What touched me most was the creativity of our ancestors. They had no modern tools, no paper, no books, and no technology. Still, they created art that has survived for centuries. Their history was not written in words. It was painted on rocks. Their feelings, imagination, and way of life are still visible through lines, symbols, and figures. I was surprised to see how deeply creative and expressive ancient humans were. I was informed that the paintings are over 6000 years old. But I feel that these are much older.

Art Before Language

This visit made me understand that art is humanity’s first language. Long before books, scripts, and written history, human beings expressed themselves through images. These rock paintings may belong to a time before writing developed. Yet they still communicate. They show that humans always had the desire to observe, remember, celebrate, and share. Ushakothi Rock-shelter is proof that creativity is as old as human life itself.

For me, the Ushakothi rock shelter site was not just a place. It was a living museum. It was a natural classroom. It was a silent conversation with the past. This visit will always remain close to my heart because it gave me adventure, knowledge, beauty, and inspiration in a single day.

Rainy Forest Journey

The day was rainy. Soon after we reached there, it started raining heavily. I had taken an umbrella with me, but still I got wet. Walking down the hill in the rain was thrilling and a little frightening. The path was slippery. The forest was dense. Every step had to be taken carefully. While going down, I felt excitement and fear together. Returning in heavy rain was even more challenging. But this adventure made the experience more memorable. I also heard the melodious songs of birds on my way back, making the entire natural surroundings feel even more peaceful, vibrant, and enchanting.

With the continuous rainfall, greenery has returned to the forest. From the top of the hill, one can see lush green landscapes all around. Wherever the eyes travel, there are trees, greenery, and the refreshing feel of cool winds.

Clouds Felt Close

One of the most beautiful moments of the day was watching the clouds over the hill. I saw clouds gathering and moving above the Karmagarh hill. They looked so close that I felt they were touching the earth. I stood there for some time just watching them. It felt magical. It felt peaceful. The sound of rain, the smell of wet soil, and the sight of moving clouds made me feel very close to nature.

Responsible Tourism Matters

I also realised how important responsible tourism is. I saw some plastic waste left behind by visitors. I picked up some of it before leaving. Such a place is not a picnic spot. This a priceless heritage site. We must not throw plastic, garbage, or waste there. If you come across plastic, litter, or waste anywhere, you should pick it up immediately, carry it with you, and ensure that it is disposed of only in the designated place. Such places are always at risk of damage because of irresponsible human behavior. We must never touch, scratch, or damage the paintings. These ancient artworks should be explored with respect, through observation, photography, writing, and awareness.

I felt that this site is highly vulnerable to air pollution, as a thick layer of dust has accumulated over the area. Smoke from burning wood can further pose a serious threat to its long-term preservation.

Simple Special Moment

After the visit, because it was still raining, we had our afternoon food inside the car. It was a simple moment, but after such a powerful experience, even that felt special. I was wet, tired, and muddy, but my heart was full of happiness. I returned with photographs, memories, questions, and a deeper love for heritage.

Since it was a rainy day, I also saw the clouds very close to the hills, which made the entire journey feel even more magical and unforgettable.

When I reached the rock shelter and saw the ancient paintings, I felt emotional. These were not ordinary drawings. They were messages from people who lived thousands of years ago. Every line, figure, symbol, animal form, and pattern seemed to carry a story.

Exploring My Region

This visit made me feel that I need to explore Raigarh more deeply. For me, Raigarh is still unseen in many ways. It has forests close to the city, hills around the city, culture, art, history, and living traditions. I am committed to learning more about these unique places. Exploring is not only travelling for me. It is a way of learning. It is a way of understanding where we come from and what we must protect.

Timeless Human Language

Ushakothi taught me that ancient art is not silent. It speaks slowly, patiently, and deeply. These paintings are living memories of human creativity. They connect the past with the present. They remind us that our ancestors were not only survivors. They were observers, thinkers, creators, and artists.