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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