BELUM CAVES

 

Belum caves in Vishakapatnam district are the second largest caves in India after the Meghalaya caves and are created naturally by the action of flowing water on limestone deposits forming stalactites and stalagmites, siphons, water galleries etc. The Belum Caves have got their name from the Sanskrit word “Bilum” which means hole. In Telugu these caves are called BelumGuhalu or Belum caves. The depth of the caves reaches to 150 ft below ground level and length is more than 3 Kms. (3229 metres)
The relics found in the caves are from the Buddhist era proving that Buddhist monks were living in these caves. There are other relics from older times which prove that these caves were inhabited around 4500 BC. These ancient caves were first discovered by an English inspector of land and property called Robert Bruce Foote in 1884 however it was only in the 1980s that the discovery was further explored by a German team and then in 1988 the area around the caves was given a protected status. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) then developed part of the caves so that they could be opened to touristsfrom February 2002.Now tourists can see 1.5kms of the 3.5 kms of the caves discovered by the APTDC.
The Belum caves of black limestone have a maze of sixteen paths and an entrance chamber.

History of Belum Caves

The Belum Caves are prehistoric and have been inhabited by humans at different times in the history of these natural caves. The local population was aware of the presence of the caves but officially the existence of Belum caves was reported by an English Surveyor Mr. RobertBruce Foote in 1884 and confirmed by a German speleological team in 1982. After the historical and archeological importance of these caves became evident, the Andhra Pradesh Government cordoned off the area andthe Archeology Department with ASI (Archeological Survey of India) explored the area and collected and studied the relics found there. The area of the caves was then given to Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC)for development and a part of these caves were developed as a tourist attraction and opened for public in the year 2000.
As recorded in historical archives and from the evidence found in the caves, these caves were used by Jain as well as Buddhist monks at different periods of time. In fact, relics found in the cave point to human habitation in the caves up to 4500 years BC. The relics and artifacts found here have been classified and studied and are now exhibited in the Anantapur Museum.

Location of Cave

Belum Caves are located nearBelum Village that falls in KolimigundlaMandal of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. The mandalheadquartersKolimigundlatownis only 3 km from BelumCaves.Anantapur where the Anantapur Museum is located and where many of the artifacts found in Belum caves are exhibited, is 87 Kms from Belum Caves.

Main Sections of Belum Caves

Belum caves are well known for different natural formations of stalactites and stalagmites in chamber-like sections formed by the flowing underground water.

• The entrance arch or gate is called PillidwaramorSimhadwaram means cat’s gate or lion’s gate is an arch like structure formed naturally by the stalactites that have taken the formed in the profile of the head of a lion or a large cat.
• KotilingaluChamber or the Chamber of a million “Shiva Lingams” is a chamber that contains innumerable natural stalactitesthat have formed in the shape of Shiva Lingams. The effect ofs thousands of such naturally-formed “Shiva Lingams” gives this chamber an unreal air. It also has a single largecolumn formation where stalactite from the ceiling has joined the stalagmites from the ground
• Patalaganga meaning a river of the nether world and is a small perennial underground stream that flows in the caves from the south-east to the north-west direction and disappears in the bowels of the earth. This stream then flows underground in the direction of the Belum Village and ends in a well at a distance of two kms from Belum caves.
• SaptasvaralaGuha or Chamber or Cave of the Seven Musical Notes. The stalactites in this part of Belum Caves when hit with a stick or knuckles of the hand emit musical notes. This chamber is open for visitors since 2006.
• DhyanMandir or Temple of Meditation is a large chamber near the entrance. This section was used by Jain and Buddhist monksas is evident from the objects found here and which are now showcased in Anantapur Museum. In this hall one can see a natural formation that looks like bedstead complete with a pillow. Local lore tells of ancient mendicants that lived. An interesting formation at Meditation hall looks like the bed with pillow to recline.
• Chamber of a Thousand Hoods: This chamber has stalactites that have taken the shape of a hood of the cobra. The roof of the cave has the surreal look as if innumerable cobras are looking down from the ceiling with their hoods open.
• Banyan Tree Hall is another chamber that has a large column of stalactites and stalagmites that have joined and many other stalactites in different lengths and sizes that look like the branchesor aerial roots hanging from the banyan tree.In the local lingo it is called "Voodalamari" which means Banyan Tree.
• Mandapamwhich means Hall with pillars is a large chamber with glorious stalactite formations that look like pillars on the sides. The whole effect is that of a huge hall with pillars.

Historical importance

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 Museum at Ananthapur.
Archaeological survey of India (ASI) also found remnants of vessels, etc. of pre-Buddhist era and has dated the remnants of vessels found in the caves to 4500 BC.