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Why You Should Visit Caves in India
Being a land of glorious culture and heritage, India houses many wonders of the world. One such structural wonder is the caves in India. If you’re the kind of traveler who loves to explore mysteries, long-lost cultures, spiritual sculptures and carvings dating back to pre-historic era, then caving in India would be the most adventurous and exciting thing for you.
Mystical, alluring and magnificent, caves in India are like buried treasures amidst the forests and valleys. They narrate tales of the rich Indian culture, traditions, background, and spirituality. Apart from that, caves in India are also reflective of the immaculate works of art and architecture of the age-old era. While India is an abode to many beautiful, mysterious and natural caved landscapes, let us give you a list of best 10 that you must NOT miss out if the mystery is what your heart craves for!
Best Caves in India
P.S. While you’ve already heard a lot about the Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves, we thought to bring you some other extraordinary beauties from India that are going to give you a good dose of awe and adrenaline.
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Krem Liat Prah, Meghalaya
Placed in the Shnong Rim Ridge, Krem um im-Liat Prah presents a large network of naturally-formed caves in India. This destination is a great point of attraction for explorers, trekkers and lovers of mystery. To flaunt the rich topography of the place, Meghalaya government organises cave tours to this place. The best part of these cave tours is a walk through the gigantic passage named as ‘the Airport Hanger’.
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Patal Bhubaneswar Caves, Uttarakhand
Located in the Bhubaneswar village of Uttarakhand, Patal Bhubaneswar caves are believed to be in existence since the treat yuga. As per the Hindu mythology, there were 4 doors to enter this cave- Randwar, Paapdwar, Dharamdwar and Mokshadwar. However, Paapdwar, one of the doors, got closed after the demise of Ravana and Randwar, another door at this cave got closed after the battle of Mahabharata. Remaining two entrances are open now. Tourists, scientists and historians from different parts of the world come to visit this spectacular landmark and are mesmerised by the architectural brilliance of the pre-historic times.
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Khandagiri Caves, Orrisa
The unique rock-cut of Khandagiri Caves is sure to allure you! Khandagiri is a network of 15 rock-cut Jain shelters and flaunts come incredible carvings of women, elephants, athletes, & geese carrying flowers in Ananta Cave. The highlight of this place is the carving of a woman made from the flowers of straw. This place strongly reflects the rich Jain culture and heritage. So, if you love exploring religious sites, archaeological wonders of ancient India, Khandagiri Caves will give you a great mix of both to reminisce the ancient times.
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Belum Caves, Andhra Pradesh
Located in the Kurnool city, Belum caves are among the largest caves in India. And they are said to be naturally formed by the constant flow of the underground stream. These magnificent underground wonders are made of black limestone and quartz, which add to the structural shine and luminance of the place. These are stretched across a length of 4kms, however, only 1.5 kms are open for the tourists to experience this great site.
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Borra Caves, Andhra Pradesh
Formed with the limestone structures, Borra caves are yet another natural and beautiful caves in India. These are located on the path leading to Araku Valley and present amazing features of karst (limestone) topography such as stalactite, stalagmite, helictite, and pillars. This Indian wonder also possesses natural formations like Shiva Linga, Parvati, Mother-Child and Human Brain which people come to see from distant lands.
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Badami Caves, Karnataka
One of the most popular landmarks during Karnataka Tourism, Badami caves will take you back to the Chalukya dynasty. It holds artwork and sculptures of Hindu deities, Jain Tirthankars gods. Some of the other major fascinations of Badami Caves are sculptures of 18-armed dancing Shiva, Mahisashur Mardini, two-armed Ganesha, Ardha Nareeswara, Narasimha, Anantasayana, & Trivikrama.
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Varaha Caves, Tamil Nadu
Located in Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu, Varaha caves are one of the renowned UNESCO world heritage sites. They represent the magnificent rock-cut architectural features of the Pallava dynasty. Spectacular carvings, detailed sculptures, and breath-taking artistry make these caves stand out from the rest. The architecture of this cave temple depicts a flawless fusion of the Dravidian & Buddhist art forms. Pristine and artistic images of Lord Varaha and his wife Bhumi at Varaha Caves are sure to leave you enticed.
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Mawsmai Caves, Meghalaya
Long and marvelous, Mawsmai Caves are located near the Cherrapunji falls in Meghalaya. Even though they are built across a good length, only 150m of the caves are accessible to the tourists. It is advisable to crawl one you enter the caves as the limestone formations from all corners might poke and bring you down while walking inside. Adventurous, well-lit and guided, these are one of the most attractive caves in India and the must-visit destination for all caving lovers and for those who love to explore mysterious and adventurous spots.
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Gupt Godavari Caves, Madhya Pradesh
Located near the Chitrakoot Dham, Gupt Godavari Caves have the Godavari river flowing out of the rocks buried inside the caves. The river flows down to another cave below these and then disappears into the mountain. As per a legend about this cave, Lord Rama and Lord Lakshmana held their court in these beautiful caves while they were on their exile period. The deep river flowing along the big rocks might scare you and at the same time attract you if you love adventures and caving.
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Koteshwar Cave, Uttarakhand
Residing on the banks of river Alaknanda in Rudra Prayag, Koteshwar caves are one of the most ancient caves in India. Going by mythology, Lord Shiva meditated inside the cave on his way to Kedarnath. Therefore, this cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There’s a Shiva temple inside this beautiful cave and it’s a great and peaceful place to meditate or just sit for a while and get away from the stressful life.
Have you visited any of the Caves in India? If yes, share your experiences about the place in the comments section given below.
