Ramgarh Hills in Surguja district is home to Sitabengra Cave, believed to house the oldest known theatre or amphitheatre structure in India, with an ancient inscription in the cave referring to dramatic performances — making it a site of major significance for the history of Indian performing arts. The surrounding hills also contain other caves and rock shelters with ancient inscriptions, adding further archaeological depth to the site.
Local legend also links the hills to the Ramayana, with some traditions associating the area with episodes from Rama and Sita's exile, lending the site a further layer of mythological resonance beyond its documented historical significance.
The inscription in Sitabengra Cave, dated to around the 3rd century BCE, is considered one of the earliest references to organised theatrical performance found anywhere in India, giving Ramgarh Hills a unique place in the history of Indian drama.
October to March.
About 45km from Ambikapur, roughly 1.5 hours by road.
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