Visiting
Place:Belum Caves.
About Belum Caves: Belum Caves are situated at Belum
Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District Andhra Pradesh, India.
Belum Caves is the second major cave in Indian
subcontinent. There are more uncharted chambers in this cave. Belum Caves have long passages , fresh water
galleries and siphons.
The Belum Caves has famous for its stalactite and
stalagmite formations.The Cave 3.5 kms long cave discovered by a German
explorer in the 1980 and was terrified open to the free in 2002. The Caves
have the following sights to admire according to the board displayed at the
entrance:
Meditation Room,
Thousand Hoods,Mantapam,Banyan Tree Hall, Maya Mandir, Patala ganga,Stalactites
, Stalagmites, Pit holes in the ceilings and
Lines and fracture in the passage.
Truly, the caves in ancient times many sages used to
contemplation inside the caves and also
some of the ancient Buddhist and Jain relics have been found inside the
caves.At some point its quite difficult to squeeze through the walls. The Belm Caves inside the pathalaganga
deepest point nearly 120 ft from entrance level.The Belum Caves derives its
name from "Bilum" Sanskrit word for caves. In Telugu language, known
as Belum Guhalu. Belum Caves has a
length of 3229 metres, creation it the second largest natural caves in Indian
Subcontinent. The cave was Paatalaganga, where there was a pond of water deep
inside the caves where water kept dripping from the stalactites.
The Belum caves was found in the local region and records
of Caves team report of Mr Robert Bruce Foote, in 1884.In 1982 and 1983 the
Belum Caves were leading the detail exploration and head of the Department Mr Herbert Daniel Gebauer (Germany). The
German team was assisted by the locals Mr B. Chalapathi Reddy, Mr Ramaswami
Reddy, Mr Boyu Madduleti, Mr K. Padmanabhaiah, Mr K. Chinnaiah and Mr A.
Sunkanna.The Belum Caves has development in local know person Retired Additional
Superintendent of Police M. Narayana Reddy, residents of Belum Village like B.
Chalapathi Reddy and remaining peoples gather
to Government of Andhra Pradesh to
develop the caves as tourist attraction.
The Belum caves are now leading by Andhra Pradesh Tourism
Development Corporation (APTDC). APTDC
has built the pathways in approximately 2 km of the distance of the Caves,
APTDC has founding bridges, stairway, etc. In Belum Caves famous giant Buddha
Statue are located. This surrounding area was called as a "Meditation
hall" was used by Buddhist Monks. APTDC
has produced a canteen, washroom and toilet facilities near the entry
point.
Accommodation: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Operates Punnami
Hotel in the vicinity of Belum Caves. The lodging accessible is a 32-bed
dormitory, which is comfortable and clean. There is also a restaurant and a
small shop operated by Andhra Pradesh Tourism at the entrance to Belum Caves.
Cave timings: 10 AM-5 pm (All days)
Ticket price: Rs. 50/- for head
How to reach Belum caves:
Distances various Cities;Bangalore from 325 kms,
Hyderabad from320 Kms, Anantpur from 90
Kms, Kurnool from 110 Kms and Tadipatri from 30 Kms.Nearest railway station:
Tadipatri
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