Previous blog~ The mysterious temple of LEPAKSHI : Do giants really exist?
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| Gandikota canyon and Belum caves road trip from Bangalore (a blog) |
Gandikota canyon and fort: Offbeat destination
The only reason why Gandikota can be called an 'Offbeat destination', I would imagine is ~ because of how far-flung it is. Even if you skip Lepakshi from your itinerary, Gandikota is still almost 300km/ 6 hrs drive from Bangalore.
Once you cross Bagepalli, and drive further into the villages and countryside the landscape is rugged. I would advise you to stay calm and drive at a comfortable pace. There are also challenges like finding public toilets inroads. But when you gotta go, you gotta go.
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| A short stopover en route Gandikota from Bangalore |
After a rather rough drive, we reached this section of sunflower 🌻 fields in all its glory and took a much needed break here, got some pics and even played soccer on the lonely roads. Sadly I don't know the name of this place, but I recollect seeing windmills throughout this stretch. Later on we got on dusty kutcha roads until we finally reached Gandikota by 4 pm. After freshening up at Haritha resort and a cup of tea with snacks, we visited the gorge and fort.
Where to stay at GANDIKOTA
Brace yourself, the only stay option I could see around Gandikota fort and Canyon is AP Tourism's Haritha resort. In google there is a camping 🏕️ stay option available, but I can't comment as we didn't stay here.
After spending some time at the fort and Canyon, we left for Jammalamadugu, a town 20 km further. There are many good hotels here and it certainly was a good decision.
GANDIKOTA FORT : A step back in time
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| Gandikota fort gateway |
This was an important and strategic fort held by many dynasties including the Golconda sultanate. As the Vijayanagara empire began to dwindle in 1565, the Pemmasani Nayaks clan rose to power in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. It was during their reign that the Gandikota fort which stands today, was reconstructed over a previous dilapidated sand fort of the earlier dynasty.
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| Gandikota fort granary |
The fort is located just across the Gandikota gorge or canyon, making it a strategic location. Although I wish the area was better maintained by AP Tourism, just stepping into the precincts of this fort took me back in time. The buildings inside look sturdy even to this day.
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| Gandikota fort armory |
GANDIKOTA GORGE or CANYON
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| Gandikota canyon, Andhra Pradesh |
We then walked a few 100 meters towards the gorge and it was MAGIC. The beauty of the location is well worth the long drive. The Gorge is truly a marvel of nature and below flows the river Pennar. The boulders have a distinct layered square-like stone in reddish color. The photo-ops at sunset are fantastic.
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| Gandikota canyon,Andhra Pradesh |
< Day 2 >
The drive from our hotel in Jammalamadugu, the closest town from GANDIKOTA to BELUM CAVES is a 1.30 hr drive through not so smooth roads. This is the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, and throughout our drive, I could see homes set up with walls of black Kadappa slabs. There's tons and tons of Kadappa stone works on this route.
Tip~ BELUM CAVES is a far-flung place and it takes a long difficult journey to get here. I strongly recommend combining it with Gandikota.
BELUM CAVES : Nature's very own Art Gallery
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| Belum caves, Andhra Pradesh is the 2nd largest cave in India |
Any caving enthusiast will tell you how incredible the Belum caves are. Said to have the longest cave network in India, many more routes are only open to spelunkers. But even the few routes open for the general public are truly magnificent.
* A spelunker is an explorer of caves
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| BELUM caves, Andhra Pradesh |
Speleothem ~ geological formation of mineral deposits
Stalactite~ hanging mineral formations in a natural cave
Stalagmite~ mineral formations rising up from the floor of the caves
All these terms are complex to an average person's scheme of things, so I just let it pass and enjoyed the beauty of the different formations. The deepest point of this cave called 'Pataalganga' is 46 m/ 151 ft below.
Tip~ it can get quite hot and humid inside the caves, so do carry adequate water and a napkin.
Interestingly, the largest caves in India is Krem Liat Prah in Meghalaya, and Belum caves come second. I have visited the Mawsmai caves at Meghalaya and it was also superb.
Suggested Read~ Shillong to Cherrapunji : Mawsamai caves
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| BELUM CAVES, Andhra Pradesh |
The caves have large deposits of quartz and limestone, besides it was used for meditation by Jain and Buddhist monks as early as 2,000 years.
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| Another interesting feature inside the BELUM CAVES, Andhra Pradesh. looks like a naturally formed shivling |
Back to~ Bangalore escapades : living and working in Bangalore
Next blog~ A terrace Christmas ⛄ party🎉
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