|
|
|
|
|
|
The hilly terrain
and forests of the virgin Kanger
Valley National Park, in the
epicentre of the tribal Bastar
district, house a number of
ancient caves. Exploring them
can make you feel quite like
Christopher Columbus!
The Caves are closed during the
monsoons and for some time
thereafter. They normally open
around the time of Bastar
Lokotsav. Guides take tourists
in and out safely. However, it
is advised that children below 8
years, those above 60 years, and
those suffering from
claustrophobia avoid the Caves.
Wear walking shoes with a sturdy
grip as the floor is often
uneven and occasionally
slippery.
A nominal entrance fee is
charged. This covers the cost of
the guide who takes you in and
out of the Caves and also
provides a torch.
|
Kailash Gufa
Buried deep in the
forest close to the
Tiratgarh
waterfalls, this
underground cave,
about 40 km from
Jagdalpur, has the
most spectacular
formations of
stalactites
(limestone pillars
hanging down from
the roof) and
stalagmites (pillars
rising from the
ground). Millions of
years old, it is
deep in a hill, 200
metres long, 35
meters wide and 55
metres deep. If you
remember that
stalactites and
stalagmites are
formed drop by drop,
and that an inch
takes about 6,000
years to form, the
huge pillars of the
Kanger Caves will
leave you
speechless. Some of
the stalagmites have
markings, indicating
that they have been
worshipped as
shivalingams.
It is possible to
drive right upto
these caves. |
Kutumsar Cave ,
Kanger Valley
National Park
Access to this
subterranean cave
near the Tiratgarh
waterfalls , about
38 km from Jagdalpur,
is by a narrow
spiral staircase
that descends about
40 feet. As you
enter, you realise
what the phrase
"pitch-dark" means.
As your guide holds
up a lamp, the
stalactites and
stalagmites come
alive as mystic
creations of a
master sculptor.
Look for a special
variety of
genetically blind
fish here. |
Dandak Caves
This large,
spacious, cool
cavern is set in a
hillock. You have to
ascend about 500
steps (a 20 minute
climb) to enter the
Cave. At the
entrance, is an
extraordinary rock
formation, that
gives the effect of
a carving, so
detailed and
symmetrical is it.
Inside, stalactites
hang down in giant
halls, much like
chandeliers in a
royal palace. The
floor is smooth. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
