[SimpleHPian]

TripFeel'O'meter

Unique aspect to a trip to Gandikota and Belum caves is that you get to experience breathtaking nature's beauty both above and below earth surface.For people in cities, vast expanse and limitless vistas are a rare luxury. Gandikota offers this for free and in abundance.When in Gandikota your senses will be pampered with endless horizons all around, unaltered by human hands, often evoking awe. From Gandikota, with its open to sky boundless view, you walk straight down to Belum caves where nature reveals its perfect interior designer skills beneath mother earth's surface.

Planning

We have been hearing about Gandikota, grand canyons of India from Covid times and Dusshera break this year emerged as a good time to go on a road trip to this place. Drive was about 275 KMs one way , which was ideal distance to drive for us and 2 night getaway seemed right to cover the Canyons and Caves. We set out from Bangalore about 7:30 AM and reached Gandikota about 4:00 PM

Kadri - Pulivendula - Gandikota for Sunset

Kadri is the nearest town before Gandikota and one start sensing the peculiar rock formation from there on. The rocks, whether tiny or massive, are layered elegantly in its cross section and forms a attractive and eye catching design.





The tarmac is smooth, which gives you a silky ride combined with far-reaching sight of rocky hills fitted with wind farms on top decorating the horizon. Nothing but the road, nature, and your own company. No commercial distraction except a few industrial warehouses which do not spoil the landscape view.

Sunset @ Gandikota

The target was to reach Gandikota fort for the sunset which was ~ 6:05 PM. As we drove more towards the fort, the landscape grew more beautiful with winding roads, beautiful wilderness all around. I felt a sudden privilege of exclusivity in road usage, as there is no sign of any traffic for kilometers around you.





Another amazing sight was the goat farmers. As we approached the fort we could see many clusters of herd of goats guided by its masters. There were many make shift goat shelters which reminded scenes from the recent malayalam movie Adujeevtham.These pens had barricades build from layered stones and thorny bushes as fencing for the goats in the night. Otherwise, the goat farmers guided them to vast grazing lands, where they could freely find their food.







After parking our car at Gadikota Fort, we walked up to the temple area to watch the Sun set. The sun just lowered beyond to distant mountains with a gorge for the flowing river.

Sunrise @ Gandikota

Unlike Bangalore, getting ready early in the morning wasn't tough. We drove back to Gandikota fort, this time to view the Sun rise. As we expected, the sun didn't wait for us to be at the view point to rise. The air was just a touch cool and the Grand Canyon’s were in its majestic splendor. Table top flat lands with neatly plastered Red soil, dotted with shurbs and boarded by walls of layered rocks forming a gorge for Penna river flowing into the Mylavram Dam.



This terrain is familiar to many, as it is also the location for climax sequence for one of the popular movies Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.



Sitting in silence, watching the rising sun just slows you down. You start to see many beautiful details of the scenic view, like the shape of the river as crafted through the ridges.

Dam crest road and boating

The next stop was the boating club. The last mile is a mud road but well laid. The boat house was empty, there were no sign of people and I called the mobile number displayed on the flex board. The boatman needed some more time to reach. I notice 2 gates on the premises, the first one open to the dam crest road and the other to the wilderness with some partial house structures. The dam road was again a mud road with just enough space for a car. No space for crossing paths, this means if a vehicle comes from the other side you will need to reverse all the way back. The road has vast dam catchment backwater on one side and deep droppings sharply into the valley on the other side. Worst is that there is no railing or protection. This road is a perfect place for a trek or a walk. I must say driving is dangerous.The beauty of this transit is immense. Serene waters on one side surrounded by hills and tranquil valleys stretching to distance as long as you can see on the other side.

https://youtu.be/jGko0tdJrC4?si=nwjKigTaDw5i7DpL

Most of the time, the Penna river is seen from a distance. However with boating, you just get your feet wet and you feel good to get close to the river.

Belum Cave

Next drive was to Belum caves which was about 60 KM. The cave premises is a well maintained tourist spot with wide roads, shady trees and shelters. The irony is that you will not find any signs of a cave anywhere in that terrain. Once you follow the cave entry signs a small opening appears with a stairway descending into the cave mouth.



However as you enter you will be surprised with the spacious cavern and chambers. The smooth patterns and natural designs formed on the rock covering the passages is an amazing sight. As you walk more you will see more branching, diverting and splitting passages. Some of it getting more congested.The caves are well lit with air being pumped from the surface into the cave. This makes the walk inside less tiring. Cave terminus has a water source called pathala ganga, which gels with one of the theories that these caves were formed by rivers flowing beneath the earth surface for ages all together.

Kadappa Roads , Stone and factories.

That night we stayed in Royal County Resort which was a delightful experience with nice amenities.



When you drive through kadappa district, you get to notice few traits.Firstly the roads, which are mostly two lanes, and well laid giving you smooth ride. These roads often have round about with status of prominent personalities. There are few cement factories, and a towering Raylseema thermal power plant. But the most stand out of all. the Kadappa stones, which is used in walls for fencing and houses. The stones are just piled in layers to make a wall structure.

[bobbyblr]

We cousins were planning to visit Gandikota during this Diwali holidays. But since there were small children we dropped this place as there were no proper food and accommodation nearby.

Please let us know about your food and accommodation experience at Gandikota.

This place is one of my wish-list.

[2500cc]

Originally Posted by bobbyblr

We cousins were planning to visit Gandikota during this Diwali holidays. But since there were small children we dropped this place as there were no proper food and accommodation nearby.

Please let us know about your food and accommodation experience at Gandikota.

This place is one of my wish-list.

Ap tourism has Haritha resort there. Nothing luxurious but they provide clean basic accommodation and decent food.

[SimpleHPian]

Originally Posted by bobbyblr

We cousins were planning to visit Gandikota during this Diwali holidays. But since there were small children we dropped this place as there were no proper food and accommodation nearby.

Please let us know about your food and accommodation experience at Gandikota.

This place is one of my wish-list.

Food and Accommodation @ Gandikota was an issue for me as well, Haritha Resorts is a great property but hygiene is not up to the mark. However one of my friend from AP told me after I returned that food near the camping site is good. Royal County resorts are an excellent option but it’s an hour and half drive.

[CEF_Beasts]

My workplace is 30 odd kms away from Gandikota, if anyone is planning to drive here we can definitely meet up

For anyone visiting Gandikota and planning to stay overnight I would suggest you to stay at Royal Palace Residency in Jammalamadugu (15kms from Gandikota) and the Abhiruchi Restaurant which is just next door to Royal Palace Residency has good quality of food available.

Last week I drove down to the area surrounding Belum Caves, with the rain and sun playing hide and seek, was able to capture these pictures.

[Sidban85]

How much walk is from car parking area to the view point? Is it OK for senior citizens?

[ManiE]

Thanks for the travelogue, Gandikota is in my travel list and after the details you have posted it will be easy for us to plan from Bangalore.

I guess there are no famous places apart from the ones you have already mentioned. So, one can also plan to visit Hampi, which will add up another 220 kms.

[SimpleHPian]

Originally Posted by Sidban85

How much walk is from car parking area to the view point? Is it OK for senior citizens?

There are multiple view points, Sunset is through the fort entry and it is about a KM and half. Sunrise point/Camping Site has a drivable road with a parking next to it. Shouldn't be too problematic for senior citizens.

Originally Posted by ManiE

Thanks for the travelogue, Gandikota is in my travel list and after the details you have posted it will be easy for us to plan from Bangalore.

I guess there are no famous places apart from the ones you have already mentioned. So, one can also plan to visit Hampi, which will add up another 220 kms.

There are few more temples destination as well, as as far I know. Few more tips about the road condition from Bangalore to Kadri. After your deviation from Hyderabad Highway NH 44, the state highway is under construction for about 60 KM. There are deviations every few KMs. However on the way back we were able to avoid this by taking Kadri -- Obuladevaracheruvu (ODC) -- Kodur. There is road work in this route as well but its 80% done. Both routes are very similar and confusing however our way back was much better than the enroute.

[Exhaust_Note]

Yaganti Cave Temples and the Arundhati Forts are close to Belum Caves. The Yaganti Cave Templ is beautiful and scenic.

[Lego28]

Nice writeup and lovely pictures.

[Raghu M]

I am myself from Kadapa but have not been to Gandikota. The busy work life has not taken me back to my hometown frequently. I plan on visiting this place in the winter. My kids would be thrilled to boat in those waters. Thank you for sharing your experience, very well written. Simple yet so cool.

[BeautifulLife]

Originally Posted by bobbyblr

We cousins were planning to visit Gandikota during this Diwali holidays. But since there were small children we dropped this place as there were no proper food and accommodation nearby.

Please let us know about your food and accommodation experience at Gandikota.

This place is one of my wish-list.

Gandikota offers spell binding scenic views of gorges flanking river Penna as well as excellent Sunset and Sunrise from few vantage points inside the Fort during Nov-Dec months. The Fort itself built on rocks without foundations and was impregnable as it is surrounded by water and mountains. With a chequered past GandiKota was prime jewel of Vijayanagar empire and was awarded to those chieftains with exceptional valour and won prime battles only ruled it. Though not best, there is descent accommodation, food is available along with Camping, Zip line. The place being situated in arid tracts of famed Rayalaseema, a connoisseur can enjoy typical Culinary delight of the region - Ragi Sangati (Ragi ball prepared with Finger Millet) with Peanut Chutney or Country Fowl or Mutton Curry.
True to many tourist spot Gandikota sufffered poor upkeep and presentation despite its glorious past.