26-505: The Belum Caves , located in Nandyala district of Andhra Pradesh 's Rayalaseema region, is the second largest cave system on the Indian subcontinent , known for its speleothems , such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries, spacious caverns with fresh water and siphons. This cave system was formed over the course of tens of thousands of years by
52-453: A Pit Cave . From the ground you can only see two pits side by side and a third pit a little further away. After descending around 20 meters by the stairs from the entrance, the caves become horizontal. The first section one enters is called the Gebauer Hall , named after the speleologist, H. Daniel Gebauer, who had explored and mapped the caves in 1982-1983. The path to Gebauer Hall leads to
78-600: A British surveyor, Robert Bruce Foote and from 1982 to 1984, a team of German speleologists headed by H. Daniel Gebauer conducted a detailed exploration of the caves. In 1988, the Government of Andhra Pradesh declared the site protected, and the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation ( APTDC ) developed the caves as a tourist attraction in February 2002. Today, 3.5 km (2.2 mi) of
104-465: A museum in Ananthapur . Indian tourists are charged an amount of Rs. 70 for entry, while foreign tourists are charged Rs. 300. At the entrance, there is an electronic cave gate . A metal staircase leads down into the cave. The entrance pit was originally smaller than what one sees today. It was broadened to fit the staircase, to allow visitors to descend and ascend easily. The entrance is like that of
130-674: A sub collector. These revenue divisions are divided into 29 mandals . There are 10 mandals in Atmakur division, 6 mandals in Dhone division and 14 mandals in Nandyal. 30 mandals under their revenue divisions are listed below: The district has of 6 municipalities namely Nandyal , Dhone , Atmakur, Allagadda, Bethamcherla and Nandikotkur . population There are one parliamentary and six assembly constituencies in Nandyal district. The parliamentary constituencies are Nandyal . Until 2008 Koilakuntla
156-586: Is also promoting leisure tourism in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It has identified a number of potential tourism developments. In 2006, it opened an office to serve the Tamil Nadu market. AP is 3rd highest in India in terms of number of visits by tourists to Indian states. In 2013, 152.1 million domestic tourists visited Andhra Pradesh which was about 13.3% of the total domestic tourism market. There are Scenic locations, Beaches , Reservoirs and Pristine Forest areas in
182-416: Is created in the north of Nallamalas to protect wildlife. Project Tiger was started near Srisailam with an area of 3,568 sq.km. As per 2003 census, there were 64 Tigers and 78 Panthers. Rollapadu village of Midthur mandal is famous for the spotting of the great Indian Bustard (Batta Meka) an endangered bird. A bird sanctuary with an area of 1,600 hectares was established to protect this species. Based on
208-990: Is of interest for bird watchers. CPO (2022). District Hand Book of Statistics – 2020, Nandyal district (Compiled as per the new district boundary) (PDF) . Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation ( APTDC ) is a state government agency which promotes tourism in Andhra Pradesh , India . The department offers tour packages of Heritage, Nature, Adventure, Health and Rural tourism representing rich historical and natural background of Andhra Pradesh state. The tours covering 8 centers of Andhra Pradesh. The department maintains resorts at popular tourism destinations such as Tirupati, Horseley hills, Araku valley, Vizag and Srisailam. A wide range of vehicles including 63 hi-tech coaches, 29 Volvo coaches, 8 air-conditioned hi-tech coaches, 4 semi-sleepers, 11 mini vehicles, 1 vintage coach and 10 Qualis are being used. APTDC
234-524: Is part of the Rayalaseema region. The district consists of Nandyal revenue division and a newly formed Dhone revenue division and Atmakur revenue division from Kurnool district . The district derived its name from its headquarters Nandyal . Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves in the district. There are indications that Jain and Buddhist monks were occupying these caves centuries ago. Many Buddhists relics were found inside
260-593: Is situated 3 km (1.9 mi) from Belum Caves. The caves are an 8 km (5.0 mi) drive from Petnikota village. Belum is part of a larger complex of caves carved out of the limestone deposits in the Erramalai region. Other caves include the Billasurgam caves, Sanyasula caves, Yaganti caves, Yerrajari caves, and the Muchchatla Chintamanu caves (caves are called gavi in the local language). Even though
286-917: The Belum Caves were known to local people, the first records of site come from the expedition report of British geologist and archaeologist Robert Bruce Foote , in 1884. Thereafter, the Belum Caves remained unnoticed for almost a century until a German team headed by Herbert Daniel Gebauer conducted detailed exploration of the caves in 1982 and 1983. The German expedition was assisted by Mr Bacham Chalapathi Reddy (retd. Deputy superintendent of police), Mr Pothireddy Rama Subba Reddy (retd. Headmaster), Mr Ramaswami Reddy, Mr Boyu Madduleti, Mr K. Padmanabhaiah, Mr K. Chinnaiah and Mr A. Sunkanna. 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
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#1732843924998312-551: The 2011 census Nandyal district had a population of 1,781,777, of which 385,185 (21.62%) live in urban areas. Nandyal district has a sex ratio of 985 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 322,825 (18.12%) and 52,784 (2.96%) of the population respectively. Languages of Nandyal district based on 2011 Census Based on the 2011 census, 81.08% of the population spoke Telugu and 17.25% Urdu as their first language. The district has three revenue divisions, namely Atmakur, Nandyal and Dhone, each headed by
338-637: The 7th century. Nearby pushkarani has crystal clear water. The temple of Navanarasimha (Nine Forms of Lord Narasimha) is in upper Ahobilam . The temple of Prahladavarada is in lower Ahobilam. Yaganti is the home of Uma Maheswara Swamy. There is a huge Nandi statue with size of 15’ X 10’ X 8’. Belum caves discovered in 1982 are the second largest natural caves in India after Meghalaya caves. These caves have 3 well like cavities. These are longer than Borra Caves in Vizag district. These have long passages, spacious chambers and fresh water siphons. Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary
364-575: The Belum Caves. Frequently available buses, which ply between Tadipatri and Banaganapalli of Nandyala district, drop you at Belum caves. In the Mumbai area: In the Junnar area: Nandyal district Nandyal district is a district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh with Nandyal as its administrative headquarters, it was formed on 4 April 2022 to become one of the resultant 26 districts . It
390-535: The caves have been successfully explored, though only 1.5 km (0.9 mi) is accessible to visitors. There are 16 different pathways, including the main entrance and there are deposits of quartz in the caves. The caves consist of black limestone . The Belum Caves are located near Belum Village in Kolimigundla mandal of Nandyal district (earlier in Kurnool district ) in the state of Andhra Pradesh . Kolimigundla
416-525: The caves. These relics are now housed in Museum at Anantapur . Archaeological survey of India (ASI) found remnants of vessels and other artifacts of pre-Buddhist era and has dated the remnants of vessels found in the caves to 4500 BC. Earlier in the 14th century there was a king named Nandanamaharaju. This place got the name "Nandi Temple" after that king built the Nava Nandula around it. In time, this place got
442-523: The caves. These relics are now housed in a museum in Ananthapur . Archaeological survey of India (ASI) also found remnants of vessels of the pre-Buddhist era and dated the remnants of these objects to 4500 years BCE. A new and second Indian cavernicolous (inhabiting caves) species of the genus Andhracoides was discovered in the Pataalaganga chamber. The organism is named Andhracoides gebaueri in honor of Herbert Daniel Gebauer who documented and mapped
468-489: The complete cave. It is a minor arthropod can't be seen by naked eyes. The caves were being used to dump wastes from nearby places until 1988. Local people of nearby settlements, notably policemen and residents of Belum Village co-operated with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and developed the cave site as a tourist attraction. Finally, their almost two-decade long efforts resulted in the Government of Andhra Pradesh declaring
494-673: The constant flow of underground water from the now-disappeared river Chitravathi. The cave system reaches its deepest point (46 m (151 ft) from entrance level) at the point known as Pataalaganga . Belum Caves have a length of 3,229 m (10,593.8 ft), making them the second largest caves on the Indian Subcontinent after the Krem Liat Prah caves in Meghalaya . It is one of the centrally protected Monuments of National Importance . Belum came to scientific attention in 1884 by
520-422: The district covers an area of 3,08,607 hectares. It is about 32% of the district. It is confined to hilly areas of Nallamala and Erramala and part of Velikonda hills. Tamarind and Beedi leaves are forest's minor produce. Tigers and panthers are the main wild animals. Partridges, peacocks, red jungle foul are some of the birds in the forest. Nagarjuna Sagar – Srisailam wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 46.815 hectares
546-421: The district into two parts.The eastern part of the district lies between Erramalas and Nallamalas. It has mainly black cotton soil. Krishna and Kunderu are the main rivers. Kunderu also known as Kumudvathi originates on the western side of Erramala hills. It flows towards south through Midthur, Gadivemula, Nandyal,Gospadu, Koilakuntla, Dornipadu and Chagalamarri mandals before entering YSR District . Forest of
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#1732843924998572-457: The entire area to be a protected zone. Finally, in 1999, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) took over the task of beautifying and maintaining the caves. The APTDC who has since been in charge of management, sanctioned Rs. 7.5 million to develop the caves. The APTDC has also developed the pathways of around 2 km (1.2 mi) length in and outside of the caves, provided illumination and has created fresh-air-shafts at
598-456: The name "Nandyala". This district is bounded on the north by Krishna rivers as well as Mahabubnagar district of Telangana State, on the south by Kadapa district and Anantapur Districts on the west by the Kurnool district and on the east by Prakasam District . Nallamala and Erramala are the two major mountain ranges which run in parallel from north to south of the district running in parallel from north to south. The Erramalas divide
624-455: The second opening, which lies next to the main entrance. The nearest railhead to reach Belum Caves is Tadipatri (in Ananthapuramu district), 30 km (18.6 mi) away. There are daily or weekly trains from Delhi, Mumbai , Chennai , Hyderabad, Tirupati, Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram , Coimbatore and Goa which halt at Tadipatri railway station. From Tadipatri , one can take a bus to
650-507: The site. Inside the cave, APTDC has installed bridges and staircases, and a canteen, bathrooms and toilet facilities at the entry point. APTDC also has built a Haritha Hotel for accommodation in the vicinity. There is a sizeable Buddha statue near on a hillock near the caves. One of the caverns at Belum is known as the "Meditation Hall", which was used by Buddhist monks. Relics of the Buddhist period were found here. These relics are now housed in
676-459: Was Headquarter of Koilakuntla Assembly Constituency after 2009 elections Banaganapalle became new Assembly Constituency in the place of Koilakuntla. The assembly constituencies are given below. Srisailam is the abode of Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy . The deity is in natural stone formation in the shape of lingam . It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams in the country. The temple was built in 14th century. Mahanandiswara temple dates back to
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