Two-day Belum Caves festival begins in Kurnool

Kurnool: The two-day Belum Caves Utsavams have started on a grand note at Belum village in Kolimigundla mandal on Saturday. People, youth and children in large number thronged the spot to have a glimpse of the caves.

District Collector G Veera Pandian, MLAs Katasani Rami Reddy, Katasani Rambhupal Reddy, MLC Challa Ramakrsihna Reddy and others participated at the opening ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, the District Collector said that Kurnool district has many centres of attractions like Srisailam hills, Rock Gardens, Ketavaram, Belum Caves, Ahobilam, Mantrayalam and Mahanandi. Visitors can have good time visiting these places besides the Utsavams.

Especially Belum Caves, running to a length of 3,229 metres, are the second longest caves in India and are popular for their stalactite and stalagmite formations, he added.

The caves have long passages, fresh water galleries, siphons and spacious chambers. These caves have been formed naturally due to constant flow of underground water, he stated.

Meanwhile, the officials have conducted several competitions like pulling bullock carts, rangoli, cooking, traditional dances and other cultural events. All the guests visited the stalls put up by various departments to explain the history and heritage of the nation.

Tourism Minister Avanti Srinivas who actually had a schedule to participate in the opening ceremony of the Utsavams skipped the event.