Belum Cave & Gandikota - One day trip

Belum caves and Gandikota are the places in our one day trip list for long time, however this time (09/02/2019) we made it to happen. We both started from Chennai to Tadipatri, which is nearest railway station from Belum cave.

Train reached Tadipatri railway station at 7.30 AM and we moved to Tadipatri bus station by auto which is 5KM away from railway station. Once we were done with breakfast, we got bus to Belum (30KM from Tadipatri).

One thing we often noticed in the way is pile of kadappa stones. We could find it easily wherever we see around us. Even most of the small houses have been built with kadappa stones arranged in layers. Later we came to know this surrounding area is source of such stones.

We reached Belum cave around 9.30 AM, which is the second largest natural caves in Indian subcontinent. We were allowed to enter into the cave at 10.00 AM. We have never visited any caves before, and this is first time. On seeing interior of the cave, we were fascinated by the mystique of nature.

Some facts about the cave

• The cave is formed by constant flow of underground water over millions of years
• Length of cave is around 3.5KM long and 1.5KM is allowed for visitors
• In 1884 it came to scientific attention, though the cave is known to locals for thousands of years 
• In 1982 Indian government worked with German officials to explore and map the cave
• In 1988 state government declared the cave as protected area
• In 2002 it became a tourist part
• The cave was inhabited by Buddhist and Jain monks for thousands of years
• As there is no way for air flow into the cave, ventilation is made for oxygen supply
• There would be some sweat as it is fully covered

After we came out of cave, we sat under the tree outside of the cave for sometime to get relaxed and had some food in a canteen.

It was around 11.30 AM and we had to start to Gandikota. No direct buses from Belum cave to Gandikota. To reach Gandikota we have to go to Kolimigundla, then to Jammalamadugu, from where we can get bus to Gandikota. It was 2.00PM when reaching Jammalamadugu.

Gandikota is located at the distance of 15KMs from Jammalamadugu. It took half an hour to reach gandikota. Gandikota is famous for its spectacular gorge formed by rock erosion over a long period of time. There is a Pennar river that cuts through Erramala hills and flows between the rocks which made it to look like a huge canyon, so that it is known as The Grand Canyon of India (BTW, The Grand Canyon is located in USA). While starting the trip we thought there won’t be much crowd at Gandikota. But the spot was flooded by people, as Gandikota festival was happening for 2 days (feb 9,10), which happens once in a year.
 
Things to explore in Gandikota

• Gandikota fort
• Charminar
• Gandikota jail
• The Gorge view
• Ranganathasamy temple
• Madhavrayasamy temple
• Jamia Masjid
• Granary

Everything is located within 1-2KM of distance which can be covered in 2 - 3 hours. Apart from sight seeing, camping and river rafting were also organized near penna river. As a part of Gandikota festival Paragliding was organized by Andra pradesh tourism. As we have experienced in such activities earlier, we didn't participate. It was around 6.00 PM, so we had to start to Muddanur railway station from where we planned to return back to home.

There is no doubt that Belum cave and Gandikota will never fail to excite the nature lovers, fort lovers, historians.


Some information for those who are planning to visit Belum cave, Gandikota by public transport.

How to reach Belum Cave from Chennai?
Trains are available from Chennai Central to Tadipatri railway station (which is the nearest railway stations from Belum cave), among them Mubai mail starting at 11.55 PM could be comfortable. Take a auto to Tadipatri bus station which is 5KM from railway station. From there government buses are frequently available to Belum caves (30KM from Tadipatri, 1 hour of travel).

How to reach Gandikota from Chennai?
Once you reached Muddanuru railway station, you can walk around 500 meters to reach Muddanuru bus station from where you can get bus to Jammalamadugu (21KM from Muddanuru, 40 mins of travel). From Jammalamadugu you can take bus to Gandikita (15KM from Jammalamadugu, 30 mins of travel).

How to reach Gandikota from Belum Cave?
Take bus or share auto from Belum cave to Kolimigundla (4KM). Take bus from Kolimigundla to Jammalamadugu (40KM, 1 and half hours of travel). Take bus from Jammalamadugu to Gandikota (15KM, 30 mins of travel)
In the same route you can reach Belum cave from Gandikota.

How to return to Chennai from Belum cave or Gandikota?
If you are leaving from Belum cave, take train from Tadipatri. If you are leaving from Gandikota take train from Muddanuru.

Where can I stay for refreshment?
Haritha resort is available at Gandikota run by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department. You have to book here at least prior to a month. Apart from this resort there is no comfortable place to stay.