BELUM GUHALU

(Kolimigundla - IN)
15.102400,78.111500
Grottocenter / carte

Description

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 21/03/2016

NOTE 1: GEBAUER & ABELE (1983, 1985) measured inside the cave several temperatures ranging between 29.9°C and 32°C in the water and a maximum of 33.2°C in the air. GALLETTI & RUGGIERI (1998: 79, 83) measured one water temperature of 29.6°C. »If the outside was hot, inside it was like a furnace, despite the fresh air coming from blowers installed by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation« (RAGHAVENDRA, S 2008.01.27). NOTE 2: Banaganapalle (N15°18'45”: E78°13'30”: 225 m, Survey of India sheet 57/i-3 edition 1983), in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, is positioned as Banaganapalli, Banganapalle and Banganapilly in the vicinity of N15°19': E078°14' (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) and the same as Banaganapalle Survey of India (1983 toposheet 57-I/03) Banaganpilly Newbold, T J (1836: 117-122, 1946e: 164) Bangana Palle Prasada Rao et al. (1965: 44) Banganapalle Cammiade, L A (1927: 11); Imperial Gazetteer (1907-1909, 6: 371); India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 108 C2); Prasada Rao et al. (1965: 44) Banganapalli Murty, M L K & Thimma Reddy (1976: 214); Phani, P R C (2011.04.17) Bengampalli Mitra, P (1920: 149). NOTE 3: Belum is indicated as the village of »Bilam« near N15°06'40": E078°07'15" (Everest 1830) on Survey of India sheet 57-I/04 (edition 1984). NOTE 4: A cave description (bilingual in English and German) and a cave plan (showing 3577 m of surveyed cave passages on scale 1: 500) in GEBAUER & ABELE (1985: 8-17) is the extended version of the initially 2100 m of mapped cave passages shown in GEBAUER & ABELE (1983: 15-33). NOTE 5: Patala Ganga (Sanskrit, underworld river) or Pataalaganga “subsurface spring” (PHANI, P R C 2011.04.17; WILSON, SHAIK & RANGA REDDY 2015) Patalaganga "underwater Ganges" (PRINCE FREDERICK 2004.11.20) Patalaganga (RAGHAVENDRA, S 2008.01.27) Pathalaganga (KOSHY, A 2003; REDDY, Ch P 2002.04.30) Pathalganga (BELUM CAVES 2003) NOTE 6: The point (survey station13/11), where the water of »Pataalaganga« (Patala Ganga) was met on 7th February 1981, is neither »120 feet [36.6 m] from the entrance level« (PHANI, P R C 2011.04.17: ) nor »45.7 m from the entrance level« (WILSON, SHAIK & RANGA REDDY 2015) but 26.7 m vertically below the rim of the entrance potholes. NOTE 7: In the 1980ies, we surveyed along the stream cave passage almost 500 m of penetrable cave passage, that is to say: On the one-hand side 160 m downstream (WNW) to a sump (beyond which the cave passage continued below the water) and on the other 362 m upstream (ESE) to an impenetrable constriction. NOTE 8: Attracting approximately 61'406 visitors between February and 26th July 2002 (MUSICAL CHAMBER 2002). NOTE 9: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), 3rd floor, FDC Complex, AC Guards, Hyderabad- 500 028, Tel: +91-40-23399416, Fax: +91-40-23319886, Email: aptdc@satyam.net.in, Internet website: aptourism.com. NOTE 10: Journalese writers praise the attractive metal spiral staircase, the »defused« (sic: diffused, soft) »lighting« (illumination), trained guides, the restaurant and snack bar, a steady stream of fresh air from very electric ventilators, directional signs along well-lit passages and metal railings to ensure safety (BELUM CAVES 2003; KAMATH, J 2003; KOSHY, A 2003): »In the first phase of the Rs-74 lakh project completed earlier this month [April 2002], APTDC has spent over Rs 59.5 lakh [IRs 5'950'00 or about EUR 12'000] to clear the slush, deodorise the cave, set up lighting and other facilities to create the right ambience to attract tourists … Eco-Tourism executive director TVN Rao, who is supervising the project, told visiting newsmen that APTDC cleared the four-feet deep slush, created pathways and laid ramps wherever required. The caves have been illuminated with soft lights and are fitted with three oxygen shafts to avoid suffocation … The natural rocks and formations are left undisturbed though this meant that the visitors have to squeeze themselves in through the narrow furrows in the rocks. In the second phase of the project, APTDC will construct a dormitory and a museum while extending the caves by 1200 metre, adding to the already existing amenities like restaurant, ticket counter, water supply, toilet complex and others, the executive director said« (geocities.com/hyderabadnews/news/states-21.html). Concerning Government investments, there exist several publications that mention different sums, e.g. »Rs ten million (sholay.com/stories/2000/november/13112000.htm; The Hindu, 12th March 2002): »The Minister for Tourism, T. Srinivas Yadav, told Challa Ramakrishna Reddy of the Congress that his department had identified … Belum caves for development of tourism in Kurnool district. […] On Belum caves Rs. 50 lakh had been spent so far and a further Rs. 24 lakhs would be spent.« NOTE 11: »Ainsi pour visiter la grotte, je bénéficie de l'aide d'un guide attiré, revêtu d'un beau dhoti (grande pièce d'étoffe enroulé autour de la taille) qui est l'equivlent du sari féminin. L'eclairage sera assuré par une lampe à gaz alimentée par une petite bonbonne portée sur la tête du guide« (DUBOIS, Y 2004: 9). NOTE 12: The Ramapuram excavation (without reference to the Belum Cave) are mentioned in: IAR = Indian Archaeology: A review.- (Archaeological Survey of India: New Delhi) online: asi.nic.in/asi_publ_indian_archaeology.asp (accessed 2015.03.04) IAR 1980 - 1981 (edited 1983 by Debala Mitra) pp. 3-7, fig. 1 IAR 1981 - 1982 (edited 1984 by Debala Mitra) pp. 3-8, fig. 1-3 IAR 1982 - 1983 (edited 1985 by M S Nagaraja Rao) pp. 3-6 IAR 1983 - 1984 (edited 1986 by M S Nagaraja Rao) pp. 3-5. NOTE 13: The Chalcolithic (Greek: khalkós, "copper" and líthos, "stone") period or Copper Age (circa 4800 to 6500 BP = 2800 to 4500 CE), also known as the Eneolithic or Æneolithic (from Latin "aeneus" of bronze), is a phase of the Bronze Age before it was discovered that adding tin to copper formed the harder bronze. The Copper Age was originally defined as a transition between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. However, because it is characterized by the use of metals, the Copper Age is considered a part of the Bronze Age rather than the Stone Age.

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 21/03/2016

Altogether three neighbouring, vertical cave entrances (about 6 m to 10 m or 12 m wide and 5 m to 6 m deep), which represent roof collapse that caved into an underlying, seasonally active stream cave passage, give access to a relatively very warm (note 1) and comparatively extensive, horizontal cave (36'000 cubic metres covering more than 44'000 square metres), which consists of two generally relic (abandoned) and, perhaps, sporadically rejuvenated stream cave levels (-8 m to -12 m, -13 m to -20 m) and one perennially active stream cave level (-25 m to -30 m). The cave drains an underground stream of water (Patala Ganga, dubbed Savitri Vanka) from an inlet in the ESE (not pushed to conclusion) along a 600 m long route west-north-west to a sump (a potential diving spot) of poor visibility (1981.02.07). The relic cave levels, which are abandoned by flowing water, contain secondary calcite deposits (speleothems), are enterable to a certain extent and continue as wide but low mud crawls (not pushed to a conclusion). With more than 3.5 km of mapped cave passages, the cave near the village of Belum is by far the longest known cave in the Kurnool area and, for that matter, the whole of Central and South India between the rivers Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. ETYMOLOGY: Quite often caves are named after a nearby village but in the case of Belum Guhalu, it seems to be the other way round as the Telugu noun "billam" means »cave« (CAMMIADE, L A: 1926: 175) but this may be based on the relatively small cave and and perennial (important) karst spring (see –>Nela Bilam, Belum) in the village itself: 1883: »… a village called Bilum, 7 miles south-east of Owk in the Koilkuntla taluk, containing some caves …« (MEDLICOTT, H B 1883: 4). 1884: »… a cave which was described to me by an intelligent native as of some size and interesting as forming the source of a fair sized perennial stream. This cave is near the village of Billam (Bollum of sheet 76)« (FOOTE, R B 1884a: 33). 1885: »A large and important cave about a mile south-west of Billam village … the great Billam cave is in wet weather a subterranean water-course traversed by a furious torrent« (FOOTE, R B 1885: 235). 1921 or 1922 not seen Survey of India Half-Inch Series (1: 126'720) sheet 57-I/04. 1955: Of the many »underground caverns« in the Purana rock of Andhra Sate, »… the largest … with three openings at the ground surface lies one mile to the south-west of Bilam« (DUTT, N V B S 1955: 121-122; 1962b: 552). A monochrome photograph shows about one and a half of the three neighbouring pothole entrances descending down into the »underground cavern in limestone, Bilam, Kurnool district« (DUTT, N V B S 1955 plate 2 fig. 4; 1962b plate 15, fig. 2; DUTT, N V B S 1981 fig. 13 opposite page 14). 1956 »Bilam« on AMS sheet ND44-01 Kurnool, U502 series (1956 edition) compiled 1954 from Survey of India 1921 and 1922 Half-Inch Series (1: 126'720) sheets. 1975: The work of NEWBOLD, T J (1844) was followed by H. B. Foote, R. B. Foote (1884a) and L. A. Cammiade (1927) »as a result of which … [the names of] caves (others than Billa Surgam) known as … Billam … became known to archaeologists« (MURTY, M L Krishna & THIMMA REDDY, K 1976: 214). 1981: »There is a large cavern south-west of Bilam … in Kurnool district« (DUTT, N V B S 1981: 14). 1983: The village of »Bilam« is indicated near 15°06'40”N: 78°07'30”E (Everest 1830) on the Survey of India sheet 57-i/04 (edition 1984). 1984 »village site Bilam Latitude 15°07' Longitude 78°07'30” cultural assemblage Chalcolithic« (MITRA, D 1984 for 1981-1982: 8). 2004 »A conference abstract (Messana 2004) mentions a [phreatoicid isopod] species from Andhra Pradesh … Its locality is reported to be Belum Cave (Messana, pers. comm.)« (WILSON, G D F & RANGA REDDY, Y 2011: 42). 2011 »The name ‘Belum Caves’ is derived from "Bilum" Sanskrit word for caves. In Telugu language, they are called Belum Guhalu (caves)« (PHANI, P R C 2011.04.17). SITUATION: At a travelling distances of 106 km (aptourism.com accessed 2006.05.04) from Kurnool (N15°50': E78°03'), about 270 km from Bangalore, 320 km from Hyderabad (RAGHAVENDRA, S 2008.01.27), and 389 km from Madras, saffronized: Chennai. The known entrances themselves are found in a landscape marked with isolated flat-topped hills, which are built up of shales capped with quartzite and rise above farmland with regur (black cotton soil) cultivated with "cholam" (millet, Gramineae, conf. Eleusine) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum, Umbelliferae). The cave entrances lie on the western side of the road from Banganapalle / Banaganapalle (note 2) generally south to Tadpatri (N14°55': E78°01') and about 2 km in a direct line approximately south-west of the village of Belum (note 3). The three neighbouring collapse entrances, which give access to Belum Guhalu (literally "Belum Caves" in the sense of a Belum Cave System), were (till 1999) not easy to find between 1981 and 1987 because they were "openly hidden" in an exposed level ground without obvious permanent landmarks. The entrances were reached by walking from the Belum bus stop (±300 m 15°06'35”N: 78°06'00”E) --where one could ask for a guide-- for about 300 m southwards along the road to Kolimiguntla and Tadpatri, and to turn west (right) at the first dirt- road to the west or south-west. After about another 200 m one had to turn to the left and walk (without any path) across fields of coriander and head towards a solitary tree standing (at least between 1981 and 1987) at a low stone wall, which enclosed a barren piece of land with three vertical entrances, each about 5 m to 10 m in diameter and 5 m to 6 m deep. The pothole entrance and sink in the south-east is blocked with sediment. The north-western one is an unclimbable daylight window but the central pothole was a feasible entrance which allowed a free climb down. SITUATION 1884: »Fifteen miles [24 km] to the south-west-south of Banaganpalli there is a cave … near the village of Billam (Bollum of sheet 76)« (FOOTE, R B 1884a: 33)SITUATION 2004: »Belum Caves is 420 km from Chennai [Madras]. Reach Cuddapah [Kadapa, N14°28': E78°49'] by bus or train and then brace yourself for a journey that is marked by constant stops and change of buses. From Cuddapah, I had to take a bus to Proddatur [N14°44': E78°33'] and then another to Jammala Madagu [Jammalamadugu N14°50': E78°24'], one more to Kolimigundla [N15°05': E78°07']; and the home stretch from Kolimigundla to Belum Caves was covered by a mini-bus« (PRINCE FREDERICK 2004.11.20). SITUATION 2011: »The area falls with Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. The nearest Railway station is Dhone (70 Km) which lies on Guntakal- Hyderabad line. The place can also be reached from Kurnool (80 Km), or Gooty (72 Km). Reasonably good budget hotels are available at all these places« (PHANI, P R C 2011.04.17). SITUATION 2015: »Belum Cave is the second largest natural Black Limestone cave system in India, lying in the Erramalai Hill Range of the Eastern Ghats (Narayana et al., 2014). It is located at a village called Belum, which falls in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh« (WILSON, SHAIK & RANGA REDDY 2015). POSITION 1983: The Survey of India sheet 57-I/04 (edition 1983) seems to indicate the cave entrances near (±250 m) N15°05'40”: E078°06'00” (Everest 1830). POSITION 1984: »Bilam Latitude 15°07' Longitude 78°07'30”« (MITRA, D 1984 for 1981-1982: 8 table). POSITION 2011: Near (unidentified precision error, unidentified geodetic datum) N15°06'07.6”: E078°06'41.4” (DAR, PERRIN, et al. 2011.02.02 Mss table 1). POSITION 2015a: Near (unidentified precision error, unidentified geodetic datum) 15°6.1408'N, 78°6.6924'E (WILSON, SHAIK & RANGA REDDY 2015). POSITION 2015b: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belum_caves (accessed 2015.03.10) WGS84 15°06'08.45”N: 78°06'41.55”E - 15.102346°N: 78.111541°E UTM 44P 189503 1671686 CAVE DESCRIPTION (note 4): Three obvious levels can be distinguished in this cave of vadose origin which has witnessed at least one period of sedimentation and appears to be washed out currently. The top level is characterised by large passages, on average 10 to 15 m wide and 5 to 10 m high. These are sometimes filled with sediment close to the ceiling. Only in those areas where the top level passages are connected to the vertically deeper parts of the cave, is the muddy sediment partly or completely washed out (atlas sheets N1:E4 to N1:E6, N2:E1 to N2:E3): The rises closer to the ceiling the further away it is from the 'sewers'. The known medium level consists of interconnected clean-washed tubes (5 m in diameter) and meandering canyons (3 by 6 m) which end in collapses or calcite formations. The lowest, water-bearing level at -25 to -30 m below the surface, is accessible only by a squeeze through a collapse boulder floor (N2:E6) and terminates in a penetrable sump: an unexplored diving spot. CAVE POTENTIAL - Prospects: Its possible but demanding to push unexplored passages in Belum Guhalu. The cave atmosphere is extremely hot and humid and almost all known existing continuations are far from the entrance and consist of crawls in mud which is –depending on the season and current level of the groundwater– either slippery and sticky or hard and abrading. The potential sites are: (1) In the central level of Belum Guhalu, the 5 m wide but only 0.5 m low upstream section is continuing with no other obstacle except the unbearable hot and humid cave temperatures which surpass 32°C: a maximum of 33.2°C was read. (2) Several similar continuing crawls are marked in the cave plan. (3) The terminal sump in the lowest level was reported in the late 1980ies to have been penetrated by a local adventurer. A personal look in the exceptionally wet spring of 1996 bore no results due to heavily silted water. Though the water level in the area had risen by some 6 m (e.g. Nela Bilam of Belum village, Nela Bilam of Cherlopalle), the water level in the downstream sump of Belum Guhalu appeared to be the same when compared with the 1981 and 1984 seasons: Another clue hinting to a perched water table of the cave which drains to north-west while the base-level lies in the east. Sooner or later, the cave will fall dry in the course of the heavy limestone quarrying in the area. In 1996 several bore-wells had been drilled to a depth of 60 m and bore-wells to greater depths will be sunk. (4) The impenetrable sinks in the vicinity of –>Chirutipulli Gavi and –>Veepamani Gavi are suspected to represent upstream tributaries but their penetration would require very serious digging. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1844: »Fifteen miles to the south-west-south of Banaganapalli there is a cave which was described to me by an intelligent native as of some size and interesting as forming the source of a fair sized perennial stream. This cave is near the village of Billam (Bollum of sheet 76)« (FOOTE, R B 1884a: 33) CAVE DESCRIPTION 1885: »A large and important cave about a mile south-west [sic! for: north-west] of Billam village … in wet weather a subterranean water-course traversed by a furious torrent« (FOOTE 1885: 235). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1955: »The largest of these … [underground caverns in Kurnool which are] developed by the solvent and erosive action of groundwater … with three openings at the ground surface lies one mile to the south-west of Bilam« (DUTT, N V BS 1955: 121-122; 1962b: 552). The accompanying monochrome photograph (DUTT, N V B S 1955, plate 2 fig.4; 1962b, plate 15, fig.2) shows two of the three pothole entrances. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1981: »… a large cave south-west of Bilam« (DUTT, N V B S 1981: 14) illustrated by the photograph captioned »Underground cavern in limestone, Bilam, Kurnool district« (DUTT, N V B S 1962b fig. 13, opposite page 14). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002: »A new destination has been added to the tourist map of Andhra Pradesh with the Belum caves, a natural wonder, coming alive for the intrepid explorer. Extending up to 3,225 metres in length, and 10-29 metres in depth, the Belum caves constitute the longest cave system in the country in the plains. However, only 1.5 square kilometre area of the caves is currently accessible to the public. Nevertheless, it is a breathtaking experience to walk through the caves that were opened to the public recently. One can see numerous artworks of nature both on the ceiling and floor created by stalactite and stalagmite formations. This apart, the caves have a number of spacious chambers, passages, fresh water galleries and siphons. Located in limestone area that abounds in Kurnool district, the caves have three well-like cavities in the earth with the central one being the main entrance. Steps have been laid out at the entrance for easy descent. The main passage, at a depth of 10 metres from the ground, is a horizontal one.The local villagers familiar with the caves named some of the landmarks inside the caves as Simhadwaram, Kotilingalu, Mandapam and Pathalaganga [note 5]. At Pathalaganga, there is a small perennial stream flowing from the south-east to north-west, disappearing and believed to be heading towards a well at the Belum village, located 2 km away from the caves. In the middle of the Belum village is natural but artificially enlarged well with vertical walls. The well extends into a cave. The fluctuation in the water table of the well is linked to water table in the Belum caves as the invisible spring formed due to percolation of water is said to feed the well too. Belum caves are stated to be thousands of years old. Remnants of vessels found in the caves have been scientifically dated to 4500 BC. There is an indication that Jains and Buddhists were occupying these caves centuries ago.The modern day existence of the caves was recorded by a European, Mr Robert Bruce Foote, in 1884. In the recent times, a German team headed by Mr H. Daniel Gebauer conducted detailed exploration of the caves in 1982 and 1983. The German expedition was assisted by the locals Mr B. Chalapathi Reddy, Mr Ramaswami Reddy, Mr Boyu Madduleti, Mr K. Padmanabhaiah, Mr K. Chinnaiah and Mr A. Sunkanna. As the caves have great archaeological as well as geological importance, the Andhra Pradesh Government has declared the entire area as protected in 1988. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation took charge of the caves in 1999 for beautification and maintenance. APTDC cleared up the slush inside, created pathways, provided illumination and laid oxygen shafts before making the caves accessible to the public. The well-planned illumination rids the caves of eeriness and creates a brightness that enhances their splendour« (REDDY, Ch P 2002.04.30). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002: »The discovery of a `musical chamber' in the Belum Caves has added a new facet and generated excitement. Measuring 60 ft in length, the new passage is leading to a chamber of `Stalactites', according to officials of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC). The chamber has an interesting feature— the Stalactites produce metallic sounds of different tunes. Hence the discoverers have christened it `Saptasvarala Guha', APTDC said. Currently, the passage is too narrow and one has to crawl to enter it… It has been opened to public as a tourist spot in February 2002. Currently, a length of 3.5 km has been developed for the enthusiastic tourist to trek. APTDC has taken up the task of widening the passage and expects to open it to the tourists by the end of August. The Belum caves is one of the prestigious eco-tourism projects being promoted by APTDC. The excavators also unearthed another huge chamber measuring 25 feet by 15 feet with Stalagmite and Stalactite formations. Full exploration of this chamber is also being taken up by APTDC, official said. The Belum caves have been a good tourist draw. Since February, about 61,406 tourists have visited the caves. On Sundays, about 3000 people visit it« (MUSICAL CHAMBER 2002.07.27) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003: »These caves are the largest in the plains and the second largest in the country. The descent into the caves leads into a large reception hall, the Simha Devaram, Natural light seeps into this area revealing an artificial lotus pond, a mini waterfall and a fountain. As one progresses deeper into the caves, fingerlike protrusions of stalactites hang from the ceiling and the edges of the passageway. The conical or cylindrical stalactites were formed by moisture dripping down into the caves, for more than a million years. Moisture dripped down to the floor of the cave forming little mounds of minerals called stalagmites. At the end of the winding passage is a large hall, the Mandapam with multi hued stalactites on its ceiling (at places 20 metres/66 feet high), the hues of which are caused by their metallic content. Diffused light enhances their rich colours. The guide strikes certain rocks of the passage walls causing a metallic echo – confirming their mineral content. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation took over the caves recently and started developing them. Almost a two km (over a mile) stretch was cleared of slush and debris and footpaths made for visiting tourists (the only area accessible to the public). The caves with their stalactite and stalagmite formations go back millions of years, a mute witness to history and geographical changes. Remnants of shards of pottery, tools and jewellery found here have been dated to 4500 BC. Located in the limestone belt of Kurnool district the caves have three well-like cavities, the central one being the main entrance. The main passage at a depth of 10 metres (33 feet) from the ground is a horizontal one. Steps however have been laid out at the entrance to ease the visitors' descent. Pathalganga is a small perennial stream flowing from the south-east to north-west. This stream goes towards a well in Belum village (2 km/1.2 miles) away). This well is natural but artificially enlarged with vertical walls, which extends into the caves and is interlinked with the limestone formations« (BELUM CAVES 2003). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2003: »A new destination has been added to the tourist map of Andhra Pradesh. Belum Caves, a natural wonder, coming alive for the intrepid explorer. Give me solid ground under my feet and clear skies above. Jetting across crowded skies leaves me cold, convinced, that had the good Lord wanted me to fly, he would have hatched me in a nest. Journeys, deep into the belly of the earth, are also a definite no-no. A combination of claustrophobia and the consciousness of one's mortality can prove a particularly unappetising cocktail down there. Or it had been, until I descended the long flight of solidly constructed stairs to enter the well-ventilated netherworld of the Belum Caves in Andhra Pradesh. An English speleologist, Robert Bruce Foote in 1884, first recorded the existence of these caves. However, they remained under wrap for another century for reasons unknown. In 1982, a German team of speleologists headed by H. Daniel Gebauer conducted a detailed exploration of the caves. The German expedition was assisted by their Indian counterpart, B. Chelapathi Reddy. Extending up to 3,225 metres in length, and 10 to 29 metres in depth, the Belum Caves constitute the longest cave system in the Indian plains. However, only 1.5 square kilometres area of the caves is currently accessible to the public. Three main well-like cavities (technically referred to as sink holes) lead into the caves. These sink holes are formed owing to the earth collapsing at these points revealing a source of entry into the caves. Of these, one sink hole has been developed to provide an entry point for visitors into the depths of the caves, situated almost thirty metres below ground level. The descent into the caves leads us into a large reception hall, the Simha Devaram. Natural light seeps into this area revealing an artificial lotus pond, a mini waterfall and a fountain, conceits created to make the onward movement

Documents

Bibliography 21/03/2016

History

EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1877.01.10: »In the answer I received (dated 10th January 1877) from the Collector of Karnúl, this officer says: "There is no place near Banaganpilli which goes by the name of Billa-Surgam and noted for any caves containing fossil stones. There is, however, a village called Bilum, 7 miles south-east of Owk in the Koilkuntla taluk, containing some caves, but the Deputy Collector who inspected them says they contain only slate stones" « (MEDLICOTT, H B 1883a: 4). CRAVEN, S A (1969: 22) confirmed that »Medlicott (1883)« quotes a »letter from the Kurnool Collector« according to which »There is, however, a village called Bilum, 7 miles SE. of Owk in the Koilkuntla taluk, containing some caves …« 1884.12.24-31, circa: Henry Bruce Foote and his son Lieutenant Robert Bruce Foote devoted the 1884 Christmas week to visit, among other caves in the vicinity of Banganapalle, »a large and important cave about a mile south-west of Billam village« (FOOTE, R B 1885: 235). 1955: The largest cave of Kurnool is said to lie one mile south-west of »Bilam« (DUTT, N V B S 1955: 121-122, plate 2 fig. 4).1981.12.27: Lured by Sri B. Chelapathi Reddy from Belum, H. D. Gebauer and A. Abele searched on their own for a supposed entrance near the village but found only quartzite topped table hills.1982.01.02-11: Sri B. Chelapathi Reddy in person guided H. D. Gebauer, A. Abele and Werner Busch to the cave entrances at an unexpected location in the plain. In the course of several excursions from Banaganpalle the three foreigners surveyed and mapped the first 2.1 km of cave passages, supported and actively assisted by B. Chalapathi Reddy, Ramaswami Reddy, K. Chinnaiah and A. Sunkanna along with numerous occasional helpers from the villages of Belum and Kolimigundla (also: Kolimiguntla). 1983.12.22-26: H. D. Gebauer and A. Abele returned to Belum and Kolimiguntla with Nicole Boullier, Claude Chabert, Gisela Rothaupt and Sibylle Wolfgramm to survey, map and explore additional 700 m of cave passages.1984.01.10-17: H. D. Gebauer, sometimes assisted by K. Pamanabhaiah and Ramaswamy Reddy and sometimes on his own, added an other 425 m of crawl-sized cave passages to the cave survey.1997.12.18: An adventurous group of Italian and German cavers paid a quick visit to a selection of comfortable cave passages in the Belum Guhalu. The initial impulse was to further the penetration of partly explored continuations but the moist and soft mud floor of the belly crawls consisted this time of bone-dry, unyielding mud. Therefore the leads were unequivocally considered to be not inviting enough to inspire further penetration. 1998: Somebody from the Andhra Pradesh Government declared the area as protected due to its archaeological and geological importance (REDDY, Ch. P. 2002.05.01; KOSHY, A 2003). 1999: The same Andhra Pradesh Government saw to have the cave cleared of slush (KOSHY, A 2003, PRINCE FREDERICK 2004.11.20), created pathways, provided illumination and »laid oxygen shafts« (REDDY, Ch. P. 2002) which probably consist of the ceiling windows provided by mother nature beforehand. 2002 February: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) opened the show cave to public as a tourist spot (MUSICAL CHAMBER 2002). 2002.03.12: T. Srinivas Yadav (A.P. Minister for Tourism) told Challa Ramakrishna Reddy of the Congress that his department had identified Belum caves for development of tourism in Kurnool district and Rs. 50 lakh had been spent so far and a further Rs. 24 lakhs would be spent (The Hindu, 12th March 2002). 2003 / 2004: M. Venkatasam guided Albert DUBOIS (2004: 9-11, 12; photographs 2-8) to the show cave. 2004.11.20: Belum »today … has to cope with the constant rumble of wheels that carry tourists from afar to its caves« (PRINCE FREDERICK 2004.11.20). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 21/03/2016

Caves nearby

Distance (km)NameLength (m)Depth (m)
0.4Belum Caves
1.1CHIRUTIPULLI - VEEPAMANI GUHALU
2.0NELA BILAM, Belum village
9.5NELA BILAM, Cherlopalle, 2nd
9.6UPPALAPADDE TALUS CAVE
9.8NELA BILAM, Cherlopalle, 1st
10.6ALAGAR CAVERN, Kidampatti
11.3KIDARIPATTI (Cave at)
12.0NELA BILAM, Bandarlapalle