Belum Caves, Kurnool

Length

About 3,229 m

Depth

About 46 m

Best time

Open through the year

Nearest railway station

Tadipatri (about 30 km)

Nearest airport

Tirupati (about 250 km)

Ideal time needed

2 to 3 hours

What to see inside

The mapped cave runs to about 3,229 metres and drops to around 46 metres below the surface. Only a section is open to the public, but it covers the main highlights.

• Pataalaganga, the deepest accessible point, where a small stream flows all year before vanishing underground
• Saptasvarala Guha, a chamber where the rock formations ring with different notes when tapped
• Long galleries, freshwater pools and narrow water tunnels
• Meditation chambers and stone ledges once used by monks
• Carvings linked to Buddhist and Jain use of the caves

History

Pottery and tools found in the caves point to human use as far back as roughly 4,500 BC. Much later, Jain and Buddhist monks used the chambers for meditation. The British geologist Robert Bruce Foote recorded the caves in 1884, but they were properly surveyed only in 1982 by German explorers under Herbert Daniel Gebauer. A large Buddha statue now stands in the grounds above the entrance.

Tips for your visit

Some deeper sections feel warm and humid because air circulation is limited, so carry drinking water and a light snack. Wear shoes with a good grip, as the floor can be damp and uneven. A small torch is handy, and a local guide makes the walk far more interesting while keeping you on the safe routes. The caves can be visited in any month.

How to reach

Tadipatri, about 30 km away, is the nearest railway station and has trains from major South Indian cities. The closest airport listed for the caves is Tirupati, roughly 250 km away. Most travellers come by road, often combining Belum with Gandikota or Kurnool. We can include Belum Caves in an Andhra Pradesh road trip with a car and driver.

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