Belum Caves - Longest in South India

Belum Caves is one of the best destination in Kurnool dist of Andhra Pradesh. Recently my group has visited this place, which is brilliant and it will be an wonderful experience to everyone who visits there.

How to Reach:

Belum Caves is located in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. It can be reached from Tadipatri, Allagada or Jamalamadugu easily. People near by the Belum Caves are very much aware of the cave, but in late 1884 existence of the caves recorded by Mr Robert Bruce Foote. And in 2002 APTDC opened it to the public.

Belum Caves has very vast open chambers, deep passages, narrow columns and one can reach to a deep of 150 feet to reach Patala Ganga in Cave. Belum Caves is one of the longest cave explored in India after Krem Um Im-Liat Prah cave in Meghalaya. One can enter the Belum Caves by paying INR 50 for Indians and INR 200 to Foreigners at the entrance. Even though Cave is 3.5 km in Length, only 1.5 km is open to tourists because of unexplored area in cave.

It is believed that Belum Caves are used by Jains and Buddhists monks centuries ago and even one can find the baniyan tree and saint bed in Belum Caves which proofs their survival in cave. One who visits this cave feel relaxed once they step out and memorizes with the brilliant feel they experienced, the narrow passages, naturally formed chambers and deep tunnels to reach few locations in cave may be scary but it makes us feel good at last.

Please take your time out and do visit this caves as it is easily reachable compared to the longest cave located in Meghalaya, India.

Our Experience:

It was a tidy afternoon around 2:30pm after exploring #Ahobhilam earlier day followed by #Yaganti Caves we reached Belum Caves, but the moment we arrived the climate was so friendlier with chilled breeze from all corners which eased our tiredness. We could hardly see huge crowds over there. Entrance to cave was bit scary which has small staircase from top. But the moment you cross it, you will be completely spellbound by the brilliant locals.

The path leads us to vast open chamber with some beautiful naturally formed stalactite around you. Follow the sign boards across the cave through which we can explore the cave, here one has to be careful with the path as it may confuse at time. The main places which can be mentioned here are:

1. Kotilinga Chamber
2. Patala Ganga
3. Banyan Tree Hall
4. Saint Bed, and more

There was bit of suffocation inside the cave, but APTDC made certain arrangements in few chambers where blowers are arranged to get fresh lease of air inside cave. We are in the cave for nearly 2.5-3 hours and have captured some wonderful images in our SLRs. I suggest one to carry a good camera and water with them while they enter. I wish you plan to travel belum caves and feel the beauty.