Cave Research in India
Encyclopedia
Cave research in India, encompassing the study of speleology
and biospeleology, is still in its infancy. Although there are thousands of cave
s in India
, research expeditions occur in few states. The Kotumsar Cave is one of the most explored caves of India. Biologists have classified many types of cavernicoles, i.e. trogloxenes, troglophiles and troglobite
s, from this cave. Dr. Jayant Biswas is one notable researcher in this field; Biswas's effort not only explains the subterranean ecosystem properly but also various aspects of science related to cave study.
is famous for its many caves, which attract tourists from India and abroad. A few of the caves in this region have been listed amongst the longest and deepest in the world.
Most of the caves of these areas were either discovered or surveyed by the Europeans (especially by German, British and Italian cavers). Herbert Daniel Gebauer, Simon Brooks, Thomas Arbenz and Rosario Ruggieri are the most prominent name among them. Brian Khapran-Daly of Meghalaya Adventure association have expedite most of the caves of Meghalaya
(stated below). In addition to these, the cavers' associations of Meghalaya have always been found to be active in cave discoveries of that plateau.
The most famous among the caves of Andhra Pradesh
are: Belum Caves
, Borra Caves
, Guthikonda Caves, Yaganti Caves.
Few Ancient caves of Madhya Pradesh
are well known. Few more caves have also been recently limelighted
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In India, many caves are popular tourist sites. The caves of Ajanta
, Udaygiri, Barabar, Sigiriya
, Undavalli, Pandavleni
, Ellora are famous for archaeological finds and ancient architectural value.
The stalagmite
formations present in most natural limestone caves resemble Shiva Linga (an Indian God), due to which most of the caves in India are considered of great religious import. In addition, several universally known caves related to Buddhism
is also exist in India. The same attraction leads local people to visit small caves as it draws tourists to large show caves. In India, Amarnath
caves, Vaishno Devi Mandir, Badami Cave Temples, Hulimavu Shiva cave temple, Mahakali Caves
, Mandapeshwar Caves
, Pandavleni Caves
are all well known for their high religious value.
Research is also taking place on Indian cave stalagmite
s, to estimate the past monsoon climate. Dr Ashish Sinha of California State University
is taking major steps to understand the past pattern Indian monsoons via cave research, in addition, Prof. Rengaswamy Ramesh, Dr. M. G. Yadava of Physical Research Laboratory
, Ahmedabad, Prof. Bahadur Kotlia of The Durham, Kumaun University
Nainital and Dr. Jayant Biswas, National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India, also initiated some research in this direction.
Besides Dr. Biswas, Dr. Daniel Harries of Edinburgh and Dr. Adora Thabah of Bristol University, UK, Prof. A. K. Pati and Dr. R. K. Pradhan of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University
of Raipur, Prof. Y. Ranga Reddy of Nagarjuna University and Prof. G. Marimuthu of Madurai Kamaraj University
, Madurai, Ramanathan and Sushmita Baskar of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology of Hisar are some of the known researchers who have tried to shed some light on the biospeleology of Indian caves.
.
The 'National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India' has been formed to help protect the caves of India. In addition, members of the Meghalaya Adventures Association (principally, Brian Kharpan Dally) work to protect the natural caves of Meghalaya.
Speleology
Speleology is the scientific study of caves and other karst features, their make-up, structure, physical properties, history, life forms, and the processes by which they form and change over time...
and biospeleology, is still in its infancy. Although there are thousands of cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, research expeditions occur in few states. The Kotumsar Cave is one of the most explored caves of India. Biologists have classified many types of cavernicoles, i.e. trogloxenes, troglophiles and troglobite
Troglobite
Troglobites are small cave-dwelling animals that have adapted to their dark surroundings. Troglobite species include spiders, insects, fish and others. They live permanently underground and cannot survive outside the cave environment. Troglobite adaptations and characteristics include a heightened...
s, from this cave. Dr. Jayant Biswas is one notable researcher in this field; Biswas's effort not only explains the subterranean ecosystem properly but also various aspects of science related to cave study.
Meghalaya
The Indian state of MeghalayaMeghalaya
Meghalaya is a state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally means the Abode of Clouds in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 8,700 sq mi . The...
is famous for its many caves, which attract tourists from India and abroad. A few of the caves in this region have been listed amongst the longest and deepest in the world.
Khasi hills
- Mawsmai Cave (show caveShow caveShow caves — also called tourist caves, public caves, and in the United States, commercial caves — are caves that are managed by a government or commercial organization and made accessible to the general public, usually for an entrance fee...
exclusively for tourists) - Krem Mawmluh (4th longest in the Indian sub continent)
- Krem Phyllut, length: 1003 m (3,290.7 ft)
- Krem Soh Shympi (Mawlong, East Khasi Hills), length: 760 m (2,493.4 ft)
- Krem Mawsynram
- Krem Dam, length: 1297 m (4,255.2 ft)
Jaintia hills
- Krem Liat PrahKrem Liat PrahKrem Liat Prah is the longest natural cave in India.Liat Prah is one of approximately 150 known caves in the Shnongrim Ridge of the Jaintia Hills district in the state of Meghalaya, northeast India...
, length: approx 31 km (Longest in the Indian Subcontinent) - Krem Um-Lawan, length: 6381 m (20,935 ft)
- Ka Krem Pubon Rupasor or The Rupasor Cave
- Krem Kotsati, length: 3650 m (11,975.1 ft)
- Krem Umshangktat, length: 955 m (3,133.2 ft)
- Krem Lashinng, length: 2650 m (8,694.2 ft)
- Krem Sweep, length: 970 m (3,182.4 ft)
Garo hill
- Siju-Dobkhakol, length: 4772 m (15,656.2 ft)
- Tetengkol-Balwakol, length: 5334 m (17,500 ft)
- Dobhakol Chibe Nala, length: 1978 m (6,489.5 ft)
- Bok Bak Dobhakol, length: 1051 m (3,448.2 ft)
Most of the caves of these areas were either discovered or surveyed by the Europeans (especially by German, British and Italian cavers). Herbert Daniel Gebauer, Simon Brooks, Thomas Arbenz and Rosario Ruggieri are the most prominent name among them. Brian Khapran-Daly of Meghalaya Adventure association have expedite most of the caves of Meghalaya
Meghalaya
Meghalaya is a state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally means the Abode of Clouds in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 8,700 sq mi . The...
(stated below). In addition to these, the cavers' associations of Meghalaya have always been found to be active in cave discoveries of that plateau.
Andhra Pradesh
- Belum CavesBelum CavesBelum Caves is the second largest cave in Indian subcontinent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent, known for its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. The caves reach its deepest point at the...
, length: 3229 m (10,593.8 ft) - Borra Cave, length: 625 m (2,050.5 ft)
- Guthikonda Caves, length: ..... m
The most famous among the caves of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
are: Belum Caves
Belum Caves
Belum Caves is the second largest cave in Indian subcontinent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent, known for its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. The caves reach its deepest point at the...
, Borra Caves
Borra Caves
The Borra Caves, also called Borra Guhalu in Telugu language , are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh...
, Guthikonda Caves, Yaganti Caves.
Madhya Pradesh
- The BhimbetkaBhimbetkaThe Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological World Heritage site located in Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The Bhimbetka shelters exhibit the earliest traces of human life in India; a number of analyses suggest that at least some of these shelters were inhabited by man...
of Raisen DistrictRaisen DistrictRaisen District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of India. The town of Raisen is the district headquarters. The district is part of Bhopal Division.-Etymology:... - Bagh CavesBagh CavesThe Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the southern slopes of the Vindhyas in Kukshi tehsil of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. These monuments are located at a distance of 97 km from Dhar town. These are renowned for mural paintings by...
of DharDharDhār is located in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state in central India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dhar District. The town is located west of Mhow, above sea level...
district - New Cave in Raisen DistrictRaisen DistrictRaisen District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of India. The town of Raisen is the district headquarters. The district is part of Bhopal Division.-Etymology:...
, - Jana Mana Cave of Kanha National ParkKanha National ParkKanha National Park is a national park and a Tiger Reserve in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. In the 1930s, Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 km² . Kanha National Park was created on 1 June, 1955. Today it stretches over an...
Few Ancient caves of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
are well known. Few more caves have also been recently limelighted
Chhattisgarh
- The Kotumsar Cave of Kanger Ghati National ParkKanger Ghati National ParkKanger Ghati National Park is a national park located near the Kholaba River in the district of Bastar, Chhattisgarh , India.The rare mouse deer makes its home in this national park....
, length: 660 m (2,165.4 ft) - Dandak Cave of Kanger Ghati National ParkKanger Ghati National ParkKanger Ghati National Park is a national park located near the Kholaba River in the district of Bastar, Chhattisgarh , India.The rare mouse deer makes its home in this national park....
, length: 362 m (1,187.7 ft) - Kailash Cave of Kanger Ghati National ParkKanger Ghati National ParkKanger Ghati National Park is a national park located near the Kholaba River in the district of Bastar, Chhattisgarh , India.The rare mouse deer makes its home in this national park....
, length: 253 m (830.1 ft) - Mandhip Khol,Gandai, Rajanandgaon length: 430 m (1,410.8 ft)
Cultural importance
Ajanta
The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India are 29 rock-cut cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE. The caves include paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art as well as frescos which are reminiscent of the Sigiriya...
, Udaygiri, Barabar, Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures...
, Undavalli, Pandavleni
Pandavleni
Pandavleni, also known as Panch Pandav ancient rock-cut sculptures complex located at in Gomai River around 6 kilometer north of Shahada. The Pandavleni complex is in the bed of Gomai river carved in one solid rock. The Pandavleni is around 10 metres below the rest of terrain. There are rather...
, Ellora are famous for archaeological finds and ancient architectural value.
Religious importance
Stalagmite
A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...
formations present in most natural limestone caves resemble Shiva Linga (an Indian God), due to which most of the caves in India are considered of great religious import. In addition, several universally known caves related to Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
is also exist in India. The same attraction leads local people to visit small caves as it draws tourists to large show caves. In India, Amarnath
Amarnath
Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and situated on Mount Amarnath, the Amarnath caves are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism. Dedicated to the god Shiva, the shrine is said to be over 5,000 years old...
caves, Vaishno Devi Mandir, Badami Cave Temples, Hulimavu Shiva cave temple, Mahakali Caves
Mahakali Caves
The Mahakali Caves are a group of 19 rock-cut monuments built between 1st century BCE and 6th century CE....
, Mandapeshwar Caves
Mandapeshwar Caves
The Mandapeshwar Caves is an 8th Century rock-cut shrine dedicated to Shiva located near Mount Poinsur in Borivali, a suburb of Mumbai in Maharashtra, India.-Location:...
, Pandavleni Caves
Pandavleni Caves
Pandav Leni, , are a group of 24 - 30, 1200-year-old Hinayana Buddhist caves. These were built by various Buddhist kings as homes for the saints. Most of the caves are Viharas except for the 18th cave which is a Chaitya...
are all well known for their high religious value.
Current research
Jayant Biswas and his contemporaries continue to research the biospeleology of Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh and Western Ghats and hope to establish India amongst other notable countries on the cave map of the world.Research is also taking place on Indian cave stalagmite
Stalagmite
A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...
s, to estimate the past monsoon climate. Dr Ashish Sinha of California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
is taking major steps to understand the past pattern Indian monsoons via cave research, in addition, Prof. Rengaswamy Ramesh, Dr. M. G. Yadava of Physical Research Laboratory
Physical Research Laboratory
The Physical Research Laboratory is a national Research Institute for space and allied sciences, supported mainly by Department of Space, Government of India. This research laboratory has ongoing research programmes in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Atmospheric Sciences and Aeronomy, Earth Sciences,...
, Ahmedabad, Prof. Bahadur Kotlia of The Durham, Kumaun University
Kumaun University
Kumaun University is headquartered in Nainital, India. The university was established in 1973 under the UP State Act. It has two campuses, in Nainital and Almora, and 27 affiliated colleges spread over the Kumaun region...
Nainital and Dr. Jayant Biswas, National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India, also initiated some research in this direction.
Besides Dr. Biswas, Dr. Daniel Harries of Edinburgh and Dr. Adora Thabah of Bristol University, UK, Prof. A. K. Pati and Dr. R. K. Pradhan of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University
Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University
Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University is Chhattisgarh's largest and oldest institution of higher education, founded in 1964, and named after the first chief minister of erstwhile Madhya Pradesh. The University has a sprawling campus in the western part of the capital of Chhattisgarh, Raipur. The campus...
of Raipur, Prof. Y. Ranga Reddy of Nagarjuna University and Prof. G. Marimuthu of Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai Kamaraj University also abbreviated MKU is a public university in India.-Overview:Madurai Kamaraj University, located in Madurai city established in 1966, has 18 schools comprising 72 departments. The Directorate of Distance Education of the University has a student strength of about 1.3...
, Madurai, Ramanathan and Sushmita Baskar of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology of Hisar are some of the known researchers who have tried to shed some light on the biospeleology of Indian caves.
Conservation
Unscientific quarrying of limestone led to the collapse of the Mawmluh cave of Meghalaya, and the caves of Jantia Hills are also in danger due to excessive quarrying of coalCoal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
.
The 'National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India' has been formed to help protect the caves of India. In addition, members of the Meghalaya Adventures Association (principally, Brian Kharpan Dally) work to protect the natural caves of Meghalaya.
External links
- cave-biology.org Cave biology (biospeleology) in India
- crapo.info National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India