Ride with me #8 - Fascinating Underground world of Belum Caves (Part 2)
Namaste Steemit!
The beautiful caves that lie in the middle of almost nowhere, is where we were headed to, after the Grand Canyon of India -Gandikota. The historic Belum caves is the second largest and longest cave system in India. The caves are known for their unique formations, the caves were formed million of years ago.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/ibMWfHG.jpg)
Exploring the often dark and unknown interiors of these fascinating natural formations is certainly an unforgettable experience, as diving into uncharted waters that reveal a whole different world.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/g59GxUC.jpg)
The total length of the cave is 3,230 meter, and it goes as deep as 46meters at one point, where there's an underwater stream that flows throughout the year. A natural waterfall called Patalganga, which flows over slippery rocks, before disappearing into the depths of the earth.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/Nx5DujF.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/9zJJl0n.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/AlC4smf.jpg)
The cave consists of various long passages, large cavities with fresh water and water tunnels.
If there is any place on land that matches the beauty and mystique of the depths of oceans, it has to be the magical underground world of Caves.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/GQ38hVJ.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/ue6PJHB.jpg)
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/Zf4X3D3.jpg)
We were lost in exploration, but we knew we had very little time, as It was already getting dark and we knew we had to reach the highway at the earliest. By then both are phones were switched off and we had no idea whether we were riding in the right direction or not... we were so lost, but as we passed by the villages we asked the local people to guide us on the road. Before my phone died I remember seeing a route on Google that said 365 km more to Hyderabad which would take 6 hours. But we kept on riding through villages and small towns with no sight of the Highway and it was already 9.00 pm and we hadn't eaten anything since morning, just stopped at one small shop and picked up some biscuit packets and sped away before the crowd accumulated.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/htGfrF0.jpg)
The roads were terrible and oh so dark, passing through a lot of forest area gave us the creeps, by now it was more than 12 hours of continuous riding. the only fear was hope nothing happens to the bike and we wouldn't have to stop on these lonely roads. Times like these is when you really believe in the power of prayer.
Following the moon light and as directed by the locals we continued riding on the narrow lonely rough roads, when suddenly there was this whole burst of lights, which looked more like (I dozed off and I was in dream) suddenly, unexplainable, but sort of looked like Disney lands castles loaded with lights from afar...
Snapping out of it as I rode closer, I realized it was a humongous cement factory in between nothingness and as we got closer to it, it just kept getting bigger and bigger. The golden lights from the factory were so flashy and bright that it blinded me, as we were riding in the dark for so many hours.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/D1YsUwZ.jpg)
It was the longest ride. We reached our destination at 03:30 am the next morning after getting lost and riding an additional 300kms, 17 hours on the saddle, Struggling to ride, stopping every 15 minutes for a cup of coffee. I'm glad it was worth it and we visited this place and reached our destination safely.
Getting to Belum Caves:
By road:
Nearest town: Banganapalle (25 km)
Nearest City: Kurnool
By rail:
Nearest railway station Tadipatri(30 km) – best option if you are from Chennai, Bangalore.
By air:
Nearest airport: Bangalore and Hyderabad at 330 KM.
Entrance ticket costs Rs.40
Timings 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
A restaurant and a small shop at the entrance of Belum Caves.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.imgur.com/yE6gO9a.jpg)
Accommodation:
Accommodation is available at Haritha Gandikota or Banganapalle and Tadipatri.
Carry enough water bottles as it is very humid inside the caves.
I am sure the pictures tell you that this is definitely a must visit place. But what pictures don't tell you is the feeling you get when you are physically there in the caves. So do visit and spread the message of Incredible India!
Whoa! Very beautiful
Thx for sharing this. I would love to go there one day ;)
Thank you :) you should visit
Beautiful caves! really interesting post, enjoyed it thanks for sharing :) #keepsteemin
sure is very beautiful. Thanks :)
nice picture
thank for sharing
Thank you @ward01.. Glad you like the pictures :)
Thank you for sharing. The Belum Caves look awesome.
yeah, it's a magical place... thank you for reading :)
Very beutifull pictures, damn I missed the caves at my india travel
Another reason for you to visit India then ;) Thank you
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing~ Nice post. upvoted👍🏼
Thank you @cityhassoul
really like the photo
Thanks William :)
Very nice! Lovely photos!
I wish I start riding more often again!
Thank you Sanjay
Thats beautiful @bikergirl
Loved the details!!
Pics are awesome !!
Thanks alot @mohsinali :)
WOW! Beautiful pictures 👌 👌 👌!!! And what a courage & stamina you have got 👍, it really amazes me. 😮
Thanks for letting me know that India has its own Grand Canyon! I was always fascinated by it but couldn't afford to go that far. Now I know, I can visit Grand Canyon right in India. I can't thank you enough for this! 😍 💕 💞
Unfortunately, I have already overdone my voting, so can't upvote this post today 😢 . But yes, I have already resteemed it to all my followers.👍
More power to you @bikergirl! 👍✌️✌️
🎹 🥁 🎷 🎺 🎸 🎻 I’m trying to use a lot of emojis here to Celebrate the World Emoji Day this week. Are you? 🎊 🎉 🎉 🎉⛄️