Category:Jogimara and Sitabenga caves

This is a category about ASI monument number N-CT-38.

Jogimara and Sitabenga caves, Chhattisgarh 

A 3rd to 2nd century BCE site with frescoes and Brahmi inscription
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Instance of	heritage site architectural structure
Part of	Ramgarh Hill
Location	Surguja district, Surguja division, Chhattisgarh, India
Architectural style	rock-cut architecture
Maintained by	Archaeological Survey of India, Raipur circle
Heritage designation	Monument of National Importance
22° 53′ 53.84″ N, 82° 55′ 45.35″ E
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A 3rd-century to 2nd-century BCE site among Ramgarh hills (Ramgiri). These caves have a Brahmi script inscription in Magadhi language (prelude to Pali), and one of the oldest fresco paintings in Asia. The inscription is amongst oldest known in Chhattisgarh, composed by a girl and a boy. The inscription, the structure of the cave and man made stone benches in front have led scholars to propose that this site may have been one of earliest known performance theatres in Asia. Or alternatively, one of earliest known dharmashala (resting place) in Asia. These caves are one of the oldest known monuments in Chhattisgarh that has been dated between 3rd and 2nd-century BCE with evidence.

The site is along a hiking trail in Ramgarh hills. Other nearby sites include Hindu temple ruins near a modern era Ram Janaki temple, Hathi gufa and a scenic waterfall.

The official noticeboard outside this site spells it as Jogimara and Sitabengra Caves. Some signs near Udaipur spell it as Jogimara and Sitabhengra Caves. Several spellings are found in scholarly literature of which the more common version is Jogimara and Sitabenga caves.