Buddha, Belum Caves, Andhra Pradesh, India
The serene and magnificent Buddha statue found at the entrance of Belum caves is probably the only structure that is modern.
Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves - actually large and really a long cave system known for its speleothems or cave formations - stalactite and stalagmite formations.
The Belum Caves were formed over the course of tens of thousands of years by the constant flow of underground water from the now-disappeared river Chitravathi - leaving behind - long passages, spacious caverns with fresh water and siphons.
Inhabited by Jain monks and Buddhist monks centuries ago - a fact proven by the recovered relics - that are housed and exhibited in a Museum at Ananthapur. The Archaeological survey of India has even found objects dating pre-Buddhist era and dated to 4500 years BCE.
Some reasons to explore Blum caves - Patalganga is the deepest part of the cave and is a subterranean stream which flows perennially through the Belum Caves all year round. And the source of it is still a puzzle that both geologists and archeologists have yet to solve. Saptasvarala or the seven notes - this natural chamber formed over thousands of centuries is musical in nature and when hit with knuckles or branches produces musical notes. Kotilingalu chamber is an area with thousands of lingams formed of stalactites. Dhyan mandir is found deep down under the earth’s surface - this cave was used by the Jain and Buddhist monks for meditational purposes centuries back.
