Caves to Visit in Central and Southern India

An air of mystery envelopes as one enters caves. They are treasure troves of history, culture, religiosity and spirituality.

- RAVI VALLURI

Some of them remain in pristine state and have become spots for the seeker and backpacker alike.

Madhya Pradesh is singularly known for the Bagh and Bhimbetka caves. While the former is a collection of nine rock-cut caves (replete with mural paintings) which were apparently constructed by a Buddhist Monk Dataka near Baghani river and trace their history to the Gupta period. Bhimbetka consists of majestic caves situated at the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and housed the fabled Pandavas (who were robbed of their kingdom by the deviant Shakuni) during their period of exile.

Down South is a treat to eyes for the globetrotter; there are the Badami, Borra, Varaha, Undavalli, Belum and Sittanvasala caves.

Badami, with four caves located in Karnataka, is a veritable religious spot, where caves are dedicated to the preserver and destroyer of the Hindu pantheon, apart from Jainism. These are red sandstone cut caves at the precipice of a hill.