The Belum Caves are near Belum Village in Kurnool District in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the largest and longest cave system open to the public in India. It is known for its speleothems, such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries, spacious caverns with fresh water and siphons. This natural underground cave system was formed over the course of tens of thousands of years by the constant flow of underground water.
The cave reaches its deepest point of 46 meters from the entrance. This point is called as Pataalaganga, meaning underground Ganges! Belum Caves have a length of 3,229 meters, making them the second largest natural caves in India. The entrance pit was originally smaller than what one sees today. It has been broadened as part of development of the caves to install the staircase to allow visitors to descend and ascend easily.
It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.
