Caves in India

cave exploration is an exhilarating activity to explore the (unknown) cave system. This includes not only nature and adventure but also religions and philosophies here in India. Speleology, an adventure that found a new resurgence in Europe in the early 1930s, should be one of the most accessible and enjoyable. However, India has been in a romantic relationship with the cave for a long time. From thousands of years, old inscriptions of wandering asceticists to fascinating, natural and sacred ecosystems, India's experience is a different discovery from its global complement. The best time to explore the cave is from October to March. Here are the destinations to be created for the ultimate cave exploration experience. Today, many researchers are focusing on finding new caves, as they have already exhausted the potential of existing caves. And for quite a few people, the interest in cave research goes beyond the desire to discover-their motives are not only in photography and preservation but also in scientific research. 

 

1) Meghalaya 

Cloud Dwelling is the perfect place for cave exploration. This adventure hobby is becoming more and more popular due to the more than 1500 caves in Meghalaya. Jaintia and Cassie Hill are some of the deepest and longest caves in South Asia. -Krem Liat Prah (India's longest natural cave), Krem Puri (the longest sand cave in the world, India's second longest cave), Mawsmai cave (one of the most accessible caves in Meghalaya), etc. A beautiful world inside that offers the opportunity to explore the caves. Another cave-Kremkozati has 24 entrances with few river passages. Cave explorers need to swim to enter the cave through several entrances. For beginners, the Krem Umthru Cave is ideal as it is one of the smaller caves in Meghalaya. Experienced cave explorers include tricky and complex caves such as Kremsimpe and Kremsimtabalon. This is a vertical cave. For caving in Meghalaya, you can rely on organizations such as the Meghalaya Adventure Association and Kipepeo. 

 

2) Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra 

The Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, dating back to 200 BC. Ajanta is a group of 29 caves. These caves contain paintings and sculptures depicting Buddhist philosophy. Elora, on the other hand, is a group of 34 caves, known for their huge and stone carvings. These caves represent not only Buddhist philosophy, but also Hindu and Jain philosophy.

 

3) Borra Caves, Araku valley 

Borra Caves is located in Ananthagiri Hills in Araku Valley and is the deepest cave in India. These limestone caves are up to 80 meters deep and are known for their many natural and strangely shaped stalactites and stalagmites. Anthropologists have also excavated stone tools here since the Paleolithic era.

 

4) Cave in Bhubaneswar, Udayagiri and Kandagiri 

These partially natural and partially artificial caves are known for their stone Jain temples, which consist of rooms and cells. The door of the cell is made of animal statues carved by Jain monks. Udayagiri is a group of 18 caves, Kandagiri is a group of 15 caves, and Hatigunfa (Elephanta Caves) is the most famous cave in Bhubaneswar. These caves date back to the 10th century BC. Cave explorers can explore the ancient Jain art of India in these caves.  

 

5) Vellum Cave, Andhra Pradesh 

Vellum Cave is a natural underground cave that stretches over 3 km and is 46 meters deep. This cave system is open to the public and is known for its stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years by flowing underground water. 

 

6) Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh

The Bimbetka rock shelter, which has a cave painting about 30,000 years ago, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are about 243 rock shelters, and the cave paintings found here are very similar to the rock shelters found in Australia, Africa and Europe. These paintings show the earliest traces of human life and its cultural development. 

 

7) Pachmarhi Caves, Madhya Pradesh

Pachmarhi Caves is believed to be the cave once used by the Pandava brothers and his wife Draupadi as shelter during exile. These caves date back to the 6th century and are composed of various ancient inscriptions inside. Many monks also meditated in these caves. 

 

8) Undavalli Caves, Andhra Pradesh

Undavalli CAVES is a sandstone cave near Vijayawada dating back to the 4th century AD. The largest of these caves is a four-story cave that houses a giant statue of Lord Vishnu carved from a block of granite. These caves represent Gupta architecture and were originally shaped as Buddhist monasteries.  

 

9) Sittannavasal Cave, Tamil Nadu 

 "Sittannavasal" means "the dwelling of the great saints" and many Jain monks meditated in these natural caves. The cave paintings are made of mineral paint and the paintings are very similar to the Ajanta Caves. Only pigments of colours such as white, black, orange, yellow, blue and green are used in these paintings.  

 

10) Junnar Cave, Maharashtra 

 The Junnar Cave, located in the Aurangabad district, was built in the 2nd century BC. And it was discovered in the 3rd century. These caves are divided into three parts: the Tulja Lena group, the Manmodi Hill group and the Ganesh Lena group. The Tulija Lena group has a beautiful round domed ceiling, the Manmodi Hill group is known for its magnificent architecture, and the Ganesha Lane group is made up of various spirits and cells.  

 

11) Khangkhui Caves, Manipur

Khangkhui The limestone cave dates back to the Paleolithic and is one of the oldest caves in India. The cave consists of various rooms and King Mangsorwung's Durbar (throne room). The cave also consists of a hole called Shirata, which is 5 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep.

 

12) Baratang, Andaman Islands Limestone Cave 

To reach the Baratan Limestone Cave, you need to pass through blue water and a mangrove stream. These caves were formed centuries ago by the constantly flowing water, resulting in the natural formation of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.