Adventures

Belum Caves:

Belum Caves are located near Belum village, Kolimigundla Mandal in Nandyal district.   The Caves lies at a distance of 93 Kms from Nandyal via Banaganapalli. Belum Caves made known in 1982 and which 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 distance of 20 meters at the entrance, the cave is horizontal and has a length of 3229 meters.   Longer than Borra Caves in Vizag district, Belum caves have long passages, spacious chambers fresh water galleries and siphons.    There are some land marks inside named as “Simhadwaram”, “Kotilingalu”, “Manadapam” and “Pathalaganga”.  All this makes Belum Caves a geographical and archeological attraction worldwide.

Valmiki Caves, Boyavandlapalle Village:

The Valmiki Caves, sculptured by nature thousands of years ago, near Boyavandlapalli village, Peapully mandal, Nandyal Dist has recently brought to light. About the details caves are found in the palro Leaf Texts (archives) specured in Boyavandlaplli Village; Sir Valmiki visited three caves and worshipped the holy Shivalingam in them. So they came to be known as valmiki caves. Sri Narayanappa Tata penanced in these caves for a long time and later entered “Mahasamadhi” at Atakonda village. Actually the caves were discovered in 1983. Some time back four German tourists visited the caves and explored them to some extent. Since these natives believed that the powerful Lord Shiva in the caves grants their desires. So number of devotees came to the caves to worship the “Shivalinga”. Grand festive spirit is seen during “Mahashivaratri” festival. Valmiki Caves unfold the beauties of natural tous. Let us go to the caves. They are situated on the green hills to the west of Boyavandlapalli, at a distance of two furlongs and at a height of 100 feet. The entrance to the caves appears like a small hole. If we go down through the hole we reach a spacious plain. There beautiful calcates feast our eyes. If we move further we see a galaxy of naturally formed Shivalingas. The wonder is that waterfalls drop by drop incessantly on one of the Lingas. Stones in the form of elephant heads greet us. Among them two appear alike in tow different places. We have to go down 20 feet from the Lingas with the help of a rope. Then move forward, then again go down thirty feet with the help of a rope through a small hole to reach auspicious plain land. Oh! We feel we are in fairly land. The scenic splendor amazes the visitors. Stone carved welcoming Arches, Multicolored stones, a 30 feet single stone pillar alonish us. Till now visitors have traveled though only one passage. The multi colored stones, water gushing out from the eraks, waterfalls with musical sounds, small brooks, the water drops falling rhythmically from the ceiling capture the hearts of the visitors. It is a nature Lovers Paradise. We forget ourselves in that natural beauty spot. Visitors go into a devotional trance when they see a pond called Patala Ganga, a naturally formed Nandi Idol near the pond and stone “Rudrakshas” on the walls. Devotees dip in the pond to unburden their sins and worship Nandi for granting their desires. It seems that further there is a way from the pond in the water through the cave. But nobody dares to go further as the track is blooded. They were thrilled to see the beautiful naturally formed sculptures and the inspiring scenery.

Srisailam Dam:

Srisailam Dam is built on the River Krishna and is 512 m long. It is set amidst beautiful natural scenery – ghats, cliffs, craggy ridges, plateaus and dense forests. It has twelve crest gates to hold a maximum water level of 885 ft (270m). It has a live storage of 274 thousand million cubic feet. This reservoir was originally designed for hydro-power generation, but was later converted to a multipurpose facility for water supply and irrigation. Due to the construction of Srisailam Hydro Electric Project across river Krishna, hundreds of villages along the banks receive water. It is the 2nd largest capacity hydroelectric project in the country. This dam during the monsoon seasons presents a magnificent sight and is a big tourist attraction.