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Belum Caves
बेलुम गुफाएँ
The second-largest caves in the Indian subcontinent
Era
Formed over thousands of years
Built by
Underground water
Location
Near Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh
Type
Natural Wonders
“Three and a half kilometres of caverns and galleries beneath the plains.”
— A tribute to Belum Caves
The Story
Formed by underground water slowly dissolving the limestone, the Belum Caves stretch 3,229 metres — the longest caves in the plains of the subcontinent. Of this, about 1.5 kilometres is open to visitors, descending as deep as 46 metres below the ground.
The caves are famous for their stalactite and stalagmite formations, halls of them growing from floor and ceiling. Ancient relics found inside suggest the caves were used by Buddhist monks two millennia ago — some chambers still bear traces of that hidden past.
Visitors descend through the main entrance and pass the Saptasvarala chamber, where dripping water is said to produce the seven musical notes, and the Banyan Tree hall, where a single great column seems to hold up the cave like a giant fig tree.
Core Ideas
Second-Largest
3,229 metres of passages — the longest caves on the subcontinent's plains.
Grown by Water
Limestone dissolved and reshaped over thousands of years.
A Buddhist Past
Relics suggest monks sheltered here two millennia ago.
Saptasvarala
The chamber where dripping water sounds the seven musical notes.
46 Metres Deep
About 1.5 km of the caves is open to visitors.
Why it matters today
Belum is the subcontinent's underground masterpiece on the plains — a labyrinth of limestone galleries where water built cathedrals in the dark.