Belum Caves

Entrance to Belum Caves
Belum Caves (Andhra Pradesh)

Belum Caves is the largest tourist cave in Indian subcontinent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent, known for its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. It is a natural underground cave formed by the constant flow of underground water. The caves reach its deepest point (150 feet from entrance level) at the point known as Pataalaganga.[1] In Telugu language, it is called బెల్లము గుహలు Belum Guhalu. Belum Caves has a length of 3229 metres, making it the second largest natural caves in Indian Subcontinent after Krem Liat Prah caves in Meghalaya.

It was brought to scientific attention in 1884 by a British surveyor Robert Bruce Foote, later in 1982-84, a team of German speleologists headed by H Daniel Gebauer conducted a detailed exploration of the caves. Thereafter in 1988, the state government declared them protected, and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) developed the caves as a tourist attraction in February 2002. Today, 3.5 km of the cave has been successfully explored, though only 1.5 km is open to tourists.[1] There are 16 different pathways, including the main entrance and there are deposits of Quartz in the caves. The caves are formed in Black Limestone.

The site

Belum Caves are located at Belum Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District in State of Andhra Pradesh. Kolimigundla is situated 3 km from Belum Caves.[2]

It is part of a larger complex of caves carved out of the limestone deposits in the Erramalai region. Other caves include Billasurgam caves, Sanyasula caves, Yaganti caves, Yerrajari caves, and Muchchatla Chintamanu caves (caves are called gavi in the local language).

Discovery

Even though the Belum Caves were known to the locals, the first records of Caves were mentioned in expedition report of the British geologist and archaeologist Robert Bruce Foote, in 1884. Thereafter, Belum Caves remained unnoticed for almost a century till a German team headed by Herbert Daniel Gebauer conducted detailed exploration of the caves in 1982 and 1983. The German expedition 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.[3]

Buddha's statue near Belum Caves

Historical importance

Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves. There are indications that Jains and Buddhists monks occupied these caves centuries ago. Many Buddhists relics were found inside the caves. These relics are now housed in Museum at Ananthapur.

Archaeological survey of India (ASI) also found remnants of vessels, etc. of pre-Buddhist era and has dated the remnants of vessels found in the caves to 4500 BC.[4]

Second Indian hypogean species of the genus Andhracoides named Andhracoides gebaueri was found in Belum caves by Mr. Shabuddin Shaik

Biological importance

A new and second Indian cavernicolous species of the genus Andhracoides was discovered from Pataalaganga chamber of Belum caves. The organisms named Andhracoides gebaueri in honor of the famous German caver Herbert Daniel Gebauer who mapped the complete Belum cave [5]

Development of Caves

Meditation Hall inside Belum Caves
Saint Bed inside Belum Caves
A Visitor inside the Belum cave
Deep passages inside Belum cave

The caves was being used to dump wastes of nearby places till 1988. The local people of nearby areas, notably Retired Additional Superintendent of Police M. Narayana Reddy, residents of Belum Village like B. Chalapathi Reddy,B.Maheswara Reddy and others followed up Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop the caves as tourist attraction. Finally their almost two decade long efforts resulted in when Government of Andhra Pradesh declaring entire area to be protected zone. Finally in the year 1999, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation took over the task of beautifying and maintaining the caves. APTDC sanctioned Rs.75,00,000.00 to develop the caves.[4]

The caves are now managed by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC). Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has developed the pathways in around 2 km of the length of the caves, provided soft illumination and has created fresh-air-shafts in the caves. At many places inside the cave, APTDC has installed bridges, staircase, etc. for easy movement inside the cave. It has also created a canteen, washroom and toilet facilities near the entry point.

There is a giant Buddha Statue near a hillock near the Belum Caves. The area of cave known as "Meditation hall" was used by Buddhist Monks. The relics of Buddhist period were found here. These relics are now housed in museum at Ananthapur.

Main Sections of Belum Caves

Meditation Hall inside Belum Caves
Banyan Tree formation inside Belum Caves

Entrance to Caves

Map of Belum Caves engraved on a Board near entrance

The tourists are charged an amount of Rs.50.00 for entrance. Foreign Tourists are charged Rs.300.00 per person for entrance. APTDC has installed electronic gates at entrance. After passing through the gates, one can reach the caves by a metal staircase installed by APTDC.

The entrance pit was originally smaller than what one sees today. It has been broadened as part of development of the caves to install the staircase to allow visitors to descend and ascend easily.

The entrance is like that of a Pit Cave. From the ground you can only see two pits side by side and third pit a little further away. After descending around 20 meters by the stairs from the entrance, the caves become horizontal. The first section one enters is called Gebauer Hall named after Speleologist Mr H. Daniel Gebauer, who had explored and mapped the caves in 1982-1983. The path to Gebauer Hall leads below the second opening, which lies next to the main entrance.

Awards to APTDC for Belum Caves

Access

The nearest railhead to reach Belum Caves is Tadipatri ,30 kilometers away. There are daily trains from Delhi, Mumbai , Chennai, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Goa which halt at Tadipatri railway station. From Tadipatri, one can catch a bus to Belum Caves.

Distance from major cities/towns

It is very near to Owk, and adjacent to Belum Village,

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Underground adventure in Belum caves". Deccan Herald. January 27, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008.
  2. ↑ Reddy, K. Thimma (1976) Billasurgam: An Upper Palaeolithic Cave Site in South India
  3. ↑ The Hindu Business Line : Belum caves on the tourist map
  4. 1 2 Show Caves of India: Belum Caves
  5. ↑ new species
  6. ↑ Educationworldonline.net
  7. ↑ "Belum caves bag prestigious award". The Times Of India. January 18, 2003.
  • A new species of Andhracoides Wilson and Ranga Reddy, 2011 (Isopoda: Hypsimetopidae) from Belum Cave, Andhra Pradesh, India, with a phylogenetic review of the family by George D. F. Wilson, Shabuddin Shaik and Yenumula Ranga Reddy Source: Journal of Crustacean Biology, Volume 35, Issue 2, pages 216 – 240 Publication Year : 2015, DOI: 10.1163/1937240X-00002333, ISSN 0278-0372, E-ISSN 1937-240X, Document Type: Research Article. http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/1937240x-00002333

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Belum Caves.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belum Caves.

Coordinates: 15°06′09″N 78°06′41″E / 15.10250°N 78.11139°E / 15.10250; 78.11139

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