Belum Caves, located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, Belum Caves are the largest and longest cave system in India still open for the tourists. The second largest caves in India after the Krem Liat Prah in Meghalaya and famous for their unique formations such as stalactite and stalagmite formations, the caves were formed over a period of millions of years with the consequent formation of limestone. One of the centrally protected monuments of national importance, the Belum Caves has numerous pathways with intricate patterns of water stream on limestone which are bound to leave you awestruck over the sheer will of nature and the beauty it can create. As of this date, more than three and a half kilometers of the cave has been successfully explored of which only a kilometer and half is accessible to common tourists.
A depth in advance of three thousand meters, Belum Caves goes as deep as 46 meters at one point inside the cave, which is known as Pataalaganga. A mysterious underground stream flows all year at this point, gliding over the rocks and hiding beneath the surface again. The cave consists of various long passages, galleries, large cavities with fresh water and water tunnels. There are three spectacular sinkholes. Geologists have an absolute feast with the sight of three spectacular sinkholes formed due to the movement of subterranean water flow. An enormous forty feet high statue of Lord Buddha was installed outside the caves to commemorate the roles of monks in the caves.
The Belum Caves were used to dump wastes before local people of Belum village and the policemen worked together with the government of Andhra Pradesh to develop the site into a tourist destination. It took almost two decades for the efforts and Belum Caves was later declared as a protected zone. The government spent an amount in excess of seven million rupees to restore the caves.
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