| Belum Caves | |
| Map Type: | India#India Andhra Pradesh |
| Map Alt: | Location of Belum Caves |
| Map Size: | 15.1042°N 78.1306°W |
| Location: | Belum Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Nandyal district |
| Region: | Andhra Pradesh, India |
The Belum Caves, located in Nandyala district of Andhra Pradesh's Rayalaseema region, is the second largest cave system on the Indian subcontinent, known for its speleothems, such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries, spacious caverns with fresh water and siphons. This cave system was formed over the course of tens of thousands of years by the constant flow of underground water from the now-disappeared river Chitravathi. The cave system reaches its deepest point (46m (151feet) from entrance level) at the point known as Pataalaganga.[1] Belum Caves have a length of 32291NaN1, making them the second largest caves on the Indian Subcontinent after the Krem Liat Prah caves in Meghalaya. It is one of the centrally protected Monuments of National Importance.[2]
Belum came to scientific attention in 1884 by a British surveyor, Robert Bruce Foote and from 1982 to 1984, a team of German speleologists headed by H. Daniel Gebauer conducted a detailed exploration of the caves. In 1988, the Government of Andhra Pradesh declared the site protected, and the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) developed the caves as a tourist attraction in February 2002. Today, 3.51NaN1 of the caves have been successfully explored, though only 1.51NaN1 is accessible to visitors.[1] There are 16 different pathways, including the main entrance and there are deposits of quartz in the caves. The caves consist of black limestone.
The Belum Caves are located near Belum Village in Kolimigundla mandal of Nandyal district (earlier in Kurnool district) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Kolimigundla is situated 31NaN1 from Belum Caves.[3] The caves are an 81NaN1 drive from Petnikota village.
Belum is part of a larger complex of caves carved out of the limestone deposits in the Erramalai region. Other caves include the Billasurgam caves, Sanyasula caves, Yaganti caves, Yerrajari caves, and the Muchchatla Chintamanu caves (caves are called gavi in the local language).[4]
Even though the Belum Caves were known to local people, the first records of site come from the expedition report of British geologist and archaeologist Robert Bruce Foote, in 1884. Thereafter, the Belum Caves remained unnoticed for almost a century until a German team headed by Herbert Daniel Gebauer conducted detailed exploration of the caves in 1982 and 1983. The German expedition was assisted by Mr Bacham Chalapathi Reddy (retd. Deputy superintendent of police), Mr Pothireddy Rama Subba Reddy (retd. Headmaster), Mr Ramaswami Reddy, Mr Boyu Madduleti, Mr K. Padmanabhaiah, Mr K. Chinnaiah and Mr A. Sunkanna.[5]
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 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.[6]
A new and second Indian cavernicolous (inhabiting caves) species of the genus Andhracoides was discovered in the Pataalaganga chamber. The organism is named Andhracoides gebaueri in honor of Herbert Daniel Gebauer who documented and mapped the complete cave.[7] It is a minor arthropod can't be seen by naked eyes.
The caves were being used to dump wastes from nearby places until 1988. Local people of nearby settlements, notably policemen and residents of Belum Village co-operated with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and developed the cave site as a tourist attraction. Finally, their almost two-decade long efforts resulted in the Government of Andhra Pradesh declaring the entire area to be a protected zone. Finally, in 1999, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) took over the task of beautifying and maintaining the caves. The APTDC who has since been in charge of management, sanctioned Rs. 7.5 million to develop the caves. The APTDC has also developed the pathways of around 21NaN1 length in and outside of the caves, provided illumination and has created fresh-air-shafts at the site. Inside the cave, APTDC has installed bridges and staircases, and a canteen, bathrooms and toilet facilities at the entry point. APTDC also has built a Haritha Hotel for accommodation in the vicinity.
There is a sizeable Buddha statue near on a hillock near the caves. One of the caverns at Belum is known as the "Meditation Hall", which was used by Buddhist monks. Relics of the Buddhist period were found here. These relics are now housed in a museum in Ananthapur.
Indian tourists are charged an amount of Rs. 70 for entry, while foreign tourists are charged Rs. 300. At the entrance, there is an electronic cave gate. A metal staircase leads down into the cave.
The entrance pit was originally smaller than what one sees today. It was broadened to fit 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 a 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 the Gebauer Hall, named after the speleologist, H. Daniel Gebauer, who had explored and mapped the caves in 1982-1983. The path to Gebauer Hall leads to the second opening, which lies next to the main entrance.
The nearest railhead to reach Belum Caves is Tadipatri (in Ananthapuramu district), 301NaN1 away. There are daily or weekly trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Goa which halt at Tadipatri railway station. From Tadipatri, one can take a bus to the Belum Caves. Frequently available buses, which ply between Tadipatri and Banaganapalli of Nandyala district, drop you at Belum caves.