Travel Tales: 8 Breathtaking Photos That Plunge You into the Depths of the Mysterious Belum Caves

If there is any place on land that matches the beauty and mystique of the depths of oceans, it has to be the magical world of caves. Exploring the often dark and unknown interiors of these fascinating natural formations is certainly as unforgettable an experience as diving into uncharted waters that reveal a myriad other-worldly treasures.

Approximately 275 kms from Bangalore, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, sit the longest caves on the plains of India – the Belum caves.

These caves, which get their name from the Sanskrit word bilum (hole), were formed by the action of water flowing on limestone deposits over millions of years, forming stalactites, stalagmites, siphons, sink holes, and water galleries.

Photo Source

Though these caves were known to the locals for thousands of years, the first official records that mention them are from 1884, by Robert Bruce Foote, a British geologist and archaeologist who conducted surveys for the Geological Survey of India. In the 1980s, Indian officials worked with a German expedition to explore and map the caves. The relics found in the caves dated back to around 4500 BC and showed that the caves had been inhabited by ancient Buddhist and Jain monks. In 1999, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation took over the caves for maintenance. They cleared the mud and debris inside, built pathways, provided illumination and sank ventilation shafts to make the caves accessible to the public.

(Fun Fact: In January 2013, a new cavernicolous isopod species ( a type of crustacean) named andhracoides gebaueri was discovered at the Belum caves!)

History, spirituality, science, and adventure. Head to the Belum caves and you can experience all. Until then, here are 8 stunning pictures to whet your appetite!

1. The Beautiful Buddha at Belum

Photo Source

Some really unique Buddhist and Jain relics have been found at the Belum caves. The serene 40-foot Buddha statue built here by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is a beautiful symbol of the role of the monks in the history of these caves.

2. Cavernous Corridors

Photo Source

The black limestone caves of Belum have a maze of sixteen cavernous paths ( with limited ventilation and fresh water underneath ) and a pit cave entrance that makes this hidden gem accessible to adventure seekers. A part of the entrance chamber is called Gebauer Hall, after the German speleologist Mr H. Daniel Gebauer, who explored and mapped the caves in 1982/83.

3. Breathtaking Natural Creations

Photo Source

Intricate formations created by nature add immensely to the allure of the Belum caves. The breathtaking natural sculptures include the Simhadwaram (an arch-like formation in which the stalactites appear like the head of a lion), Kotilingalu Chamber (with thousands of stalactite formations akin to lingams), Voodalamari (a banyan tree like stalactite formation) and Thousand Hoods (stalactite formations shaped like the hoods of thousands of cobras).

4. Spectacular Sinkholes

Photo Source

The movement of subterranean water has created an exemplary karstic landscape (a limestone landscape carved by an underground drainage system) at the Belum caves that includes three stunning sinkholes. A dramatic geological feature, the sinkholes (collapsed bowl-shaped features) at Belum are a beautiful spectacle. Worth a visit for keen geologists!

You May Also Like: Laitlum Canyons: Take a Trip into the Heart of Meghalaya’s Natural Wonder

5. Surreal Rock Formations

Photo Source

Most people have never seen a real cave in their whole lives; still, those who do remain permanently fascinated by the amazing display of natural forces. The rock formations at Belum caves are proof that wonderful things can appear when water meets limestone. One of the most interesting features here is the Saptasvarala Guha ( the chamber of seven notes) where the stalactite formations produce musical sounds when struck with a wooden stick or knuckles. 

6. The Mystique of Patalganga

Photo Source

Deep inside the dark and mysterious Belum caves is a perennial underground stream that forms a natural waterfall at the lowest point in the caves (150 feet below ground level). Called Patalganga, this mysterious stream appears at one point, flowing over slippery rocks, before disappearing into the depths of the earth.

7. The Den of Meditation

Photo Source

In ancient time, caves were extremely popular among monks as meditation abodes and the Belum Caves were no different. Centuries ago, Jain and Buddhist monks meditated in the labyrinths of these caves, as evidenced by the unearthing of the relics and remnants of vessels used by them. These are now displayed in a museum at nearby Anantapur.

8. The Legend of a Saint’s Bed

Photo Source

An interesting formation at the Dhyana Mandir (meditation hall) looks like a bed with pillow and must have given many a monk a naturally formed stone recliner. The local legend has it that in ancient times the caves were home to many sages who used the gray stone recliner as a bed.

Here are some useful tips if you are visiting the Belum caves:

• The nearest rail-head to reach Belum Caves is Tadipatri, which is 30 kms away. There are daily trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Goa, which halt at the Tadipatri railway station.
• There is no accommodation, except a small APTDC run dormitory, near the caves. You need to book in advance or stay at nearby Anantapur, Kurnool or Nandyal.
• Andhra Pradesh can be really hot in summer, so the best time to visit would be in the winter. However, if you are planning to visit the caves in summer, remember to carry ample drinking water and a towel to wipe off sweat.
• The caves can leave you exhausted because there is a lot of walking, crawling and bending to do on rough terrain, so make sure you have the right kind of clothes and shoes on.
• One can club a visit to these caves with the nearby Yaganti cave temples (44 km away), the gorgeous Gandikota canyons (60 km away) and the spiritually poignant Mantralayam (186 km away) on the banks of River Tungabhadra.

Also Read: #TravelTales: 7 Epic Road Trips in North East India That Will Satisfy Your Wanderlust

Like this story? Have something to share? Email: [email protected], or join us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia). To get positive news on WhatsApp, just send ‘Start’ to 090 2900 3600 via WhatsApp.

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?