Belum caves second largest caves in southern region of Asia. Belum Caves are exactly located at Belum Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District (Rayala seema Area) in State of Andhra Pradesh, India
It is a naturally formed by the constant flow of underground water. The caves reach its deepest point (150 feet from entrance level) at the point known as Pataalaganga. Belum Caves has a length of approximate 3229 metres, making it the second largest natural caves in India but still now no one know the exact length as no one dare to go beyond certain level due to lack of oxygen.
These caves were discovered in 1884 by a British surveyor Robert Bruce Foote. Thereafter in 1988, the state government of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) developed the caves as a tourist spot in February 2002. Till day, 3.5 km of the cave has been successfully explored, though only 1.5 km is open to tourists. There are 16 different pathways, including the main entrance and there are deposits of Quartz in the caves. The caves are formed in Black Limestone.
The wonderful thing of this cave is the top of cave is using for cultivation which looks very greenery but under that there are big caves in side.
Must see parts of BELUM CAVE:
pillidwaram
Kotilingalu Chamber
Patalaganga
Dhyan Mandir or Meditation Hall
Thousand Hoods
Banyan Tree Hall
Mandapam
Distance from major cities/towns
- 320 km from Bangalore
- 320 km from Hyderabad
- 420 km from Chennai
- 106 km from Kurnool
- 85 km from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
- 165 km from Puttaparthi
- 68 km from Proddatur
- 30 km from Tadipatri
- 60 km from Nandyal
- 25 km from Banganapalle
- 34 km from koilkuntla
- 44 km from Jammalamadugu
- 135 km from Adoni
- 92km from Guntakal