BELUM CAVES:
Originally discovered in 1854 by HB.Foote, these subturnane passages were explored by the department of archealogy and museums,follwed by team of european spalegist led by Mr Gebaner,Belum caves are the second largest natural caves in indian Sub. continent after meghalaya caves.
These underground caves are located on a flat agricultural field, have 3 well like cavities with the central one being the main entrance to the caves.
After a descent of 20 meters at the entrance, the cave is horizontal & has a length of
3229meters.Longer than Borra Caves in vishakapatnam district Belum caves have long passages. spacious chambers. fresh water galleries and siphons. All this makes Belum caves a geological & archeological attraction worldwide.
How to Reach This place:
Road : Belum is located 106kms from kurnool.It is well connected by road.
Rail: Belum is 106kms from Kurnool Railwaystation.
Air: hydrabad Airport.
BORRA CAVES,Kirinrandal.
These limestone caves were formed as a result of the action of Gosthani River.The river, which now flows through these caves, was one upon a time flowing over the limestone area. Due to the pressure exerted by the river water on the mineral deposits, the limestone dissolved and gradually the caves were formred in the process, giving rise to several intresting structures like- a mushroom, a temple,a mosque, a church and many more.
How to Reach This Place:
Road: 90kms from vishakapatnam and on the way to araku valler.
Road: 90km from vishakapatnam.
UNDAVALLI CAVES,Undavalli:
The Undavalli caves, in the village of Undavalli, are at a distance of and nearly te high hill overlooking the krishna river hosts fine specimens of rock cut architectural of the Buddhists.
These caves ware exvavated in 4th-5th centuries A.D. these four storied caves with a 5m long reclining statue of Lord vishnu sculpted from a single block of granite, is one of the best and earliest type here.
How to Reach This Place:
Road: Undavalli is 8km from vijayawada.Busses and taxis are available from vijayawada.
Rail: Undavalli is 8km from vijayawada.
Airport: 280km from Hydrabad
YAGANTI CAVES, Yagenti:
The natural caves at Yaganti such as Rokalla cave, Venkateswara cave,Sanka cave, and Veera Brahmam caves add beauty and serenity to this holy palce. potuluri Veera Brahmam had written his monumental work, Kalagnanam in this cave only.
How to Reach This Place:
Road: Yaganti is situated at a distance of 13kms, from Banaganapalle and 100kms from Kurnool.Yaganti is well connected by road and there are frequent buses from Kurnool and Banaganapalle.
Rail: Kurnool railway station
Air: Hyderabad Airport.
AJANTA ANS ELLORA CAVES:
Location:
The rock cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora lies in the city of Aurangabad in Maharastra in India.The caves of Ajanta and Ellora are one of the most amazing archaeological sites in India.These are not natural sites but the man made caves,which have been built by cutting the huge granite heillside.According to the historical evidences caves were built by the Hindu,Jain and Buddist monks,who stayed and mediated here for the longer period of time.Ellero caves start from the point from where the Ajanta caves ends.Ajanta caves are older than the Ellora caves.Each cave at Ajanta and Ellora has the different story tell.TOurists can make a visit to this place at any time during the year.
HISTORY:
The caves of Ajanta and Ellora were somehow forgotten,but were rediscovered by the group of British officers in 1845 when they were haunting in the Deccan Plateau.while haunting one of the official discovered the horseshoe rock from the distance.Their curiosity aroused to explore the place.Soon they discovered several caves behind the bushes and informed to the government.The Archaeologist began excavating the caves.The caves also finds mention in the writings of the Hiuen Tsang,the chinese pilgrim,who visited India between the 629 and 645 AD.The caves provides the finest example from the Chalukya,Kalachuri,and Rashtrakuta periods.These caves are located near the ancient trade route between Ujjain in MadhyaPradesh and the west coast.The caves were roughly constructed somewhere between the 200 BC and 650.It is also believed that these caves are the handiwork of the priest and Buddiest,Jain and Hindu monks who frequently visited the place.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The rock cut caves of the Ajanta and Ellora are the architectural marvel that also finds plce in World Heritage list.BOth the caves of Ajanta and Ellora are cut out from the volcanic lava of the Deccan Plateau.There are total of 29 caves in Ajanta.The caves houses some of the wonderful well preserved paintings,which include two great Boddhisattbvas,Padmapanu,and Avalkieshvera.The most interesting among them are the Jatake tales that illustrate the diverse stories related to the previous incarnations of the Buddha.Some of the caves in Ajanta boosts of some of the most divine sculptures.The flying apsara and the image of Buddha in the cave number 17 is simply amazing.
There are total of 34 caves in Ellora,which houses the elaborate facedes and exquisitely adorned interiors.Te 12 caves which lies in the southward direction are Buddhist caves, 17 in the middle are the Hindu caves while 5 in the north direction are the Jain caves.The sculpture in the Buddhist caves beautigully presents the nobilty and grace of Lord Buddha.Tourist are recommended to make a visit to the Kailasa temple in the cave 16.Is is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the world's largest monolith with the gateway,pavilion,sanctum,assembly hall and tower all cut out of one single rock.Ellero caves also contains the image of Vishwakarma,who was the patron saint of Hindu craftsman.
TOURISTS ACTIVITES:
Tourists can spend time by indulging themselves in the photography.As the Ajanta caves faces eastwards so the best time to take pictures is the morning time.The caves of Ellora faces westward so its good to capture the pictures in the noon time. Apart from photography you can take the leisure time venturing in the clipped lawns.Tourists can also make a visit to the Siddhadtha Gardens and Bibi Ka Maqbara-the Mausoleum of Akbar'sQueen.
ELLORA FESTIVAL:
Tourists can also be a part of the Ellora festival,held in the month of March every year.you can enjoy the classical programmes performed by the prominent artists.The festival is organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.
