The visit to this Belum Caves was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples / Rock cut Cave temples of Andhra Pradesh Visit on 24th June 25th June 2023”. Had been to this cave after visiting the Shiva and Vishnu temples at Tadipatri.
This is the second largest caves in the Indian sub continent, after the Krem Liat Prah caves in Meghalaya. This cave was used by the Pre historic human beings and latter by the Buddhists and Jains. This cave was formed over the course of tens of thousands of years by the constant flow of underground water from the river Chitravathi, which is not exists now. The cave is about 3.229 km long with various & rocks like black lime stones, stalactite and stalagmite formations ie salt and minerals through the dripping of water from the roof and water falls on some places. The cave goes to the depth of about 46 meters ( 151 feet ), below the ground level. The visiting length was restricted to about 1.5 KM, considering safety of the Visitors. The cave’s passage had become narrow on some places due to fall of rock from the ceiling. Even though there are 16 entrances to this cave only two are used for ventilation and entry. In addition to that, electrical blowers are used to push the fresh air inside the cave.
IMPORTANT MILE STONES OF BELUM CAVES EXPLORATION
Belum cave was identified first by Robert Bruce Foote, a British geologist, archaeologist and a surveyor in 1884 CE. From 1982 to 1984 CE, a team of German speleologists headed by H. Daniel Gebauer conducted a detailed exploration of the caves. In 1989 CE, the Government of Andhra Pradesh Archaeology Department declared the site as a Natural Heritage monument. Taken over by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) developed the caves as a tourist attraction in February 2003 CE.
Many Buddhists relics were found inside the caves. These relics are now housed in a museum in Ananthapur.
Archaeological survey of India (ASI) also found remnants of vessels of the pre-Buddhist era and dated the remnants of these objects to 4500 years BCE.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number +91 97053 89600 may be contacted for further details.
VISITING HOURS
The Cave visiting hours will be 10.00 Hrs to 4.30 hrs.
(Eid al-Adha) Hours might differ
HOW TO REACH
This place Belum is in between Tadipatri and Banaganapalli, and 33 KM, 47 KM from Jammalamudugu, 86 KM from Anantapur, 126 KM from Kadapa, 242 KM from Nellore and 396 KM from Chennai.
LOCATION OF THE BELUM CAVES : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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