Kailash Caves, Kutumsar Caves, and Dandak Caves are among some of the marvelous stalactites and stalagmites formations found worldwide. These caves are the finest gifts of nature; Nature at its best! These caves are formed over millions and millions of years of limestone deposition! One inch of stalactites and stalagmites formation takes around 6000 years! Imagine how long it would have taken to form the huge pillars and chandeliers at these caves!

Chandeliers like stalactites formations in Dandak Caves. Photo Source: Creative Commons.

Kailash Caves, Kutumsar Caves, and Dandak Caves are in Kanger Valley National Park in the Bastar district of Chattisgarh state, India.

Kailash Caves are millions of year-old caves deep inside the forests near Tiratgarh waterfalls. Kailash Gufas (Gufa in Hindi means cave in English) are underground caves formed of stalactites (which means hanging limestone pillars) and stalagmites (which means pillars rising from the ground). There is a “Shivlinga” shaped stalagmite formation in this cave! Kailash Gufas or caves are 200 meters in length, 35 meters in width, and 55 meters deep.

Albinic (Blind fish) in Kutumsar Caves or Kotumsar caves. Photo Source: Creative Commons

Kutumsar Caves or Kotumsar caves are underground caves of 1327 meters in length, at around 40 feet below the ground level, found near Tiratgarh waterfalls. You need to take the narrow spiral staircases to the Kotumsar caves. The Kutumsar Caves are also stalactites and stalagmites formations, formed over millions of years! You also come across some species of genetically blind fish here in Kutumsar Caves! Kutumsar Caves are pitch dark even during the peak summer months, and you need to have candles lit to see the beauty of nature! Kutumsar Caves are the world’s second-largest natural caves, with five natural chambers and a few wells (where the blind fishes are found).

Dandak Caves are large underground caves atop hills. Unlike the Kailash and Kutumsar Caves, where you go down the stairs, here you need to climb around 500 stairs to reach the Dandak caves. At the entrance to the Dandak Caves, you come across a marvelous rock formation, highly symmetrical in looks, which makes you admire the beauty of nature! Once you walk a few more steps, you come across a giant hall that can accommodate even 500 people, with beautiful chandeliers like stalactite formations! The floors at Dandak Caves are smooth.

These caves are closed during the monsoon season for tourists.

How Do I Go to Kailash Caves?

Kailash Caves are around 40 kilometers from Jagdalpur, Bastar district administrative headquarters. Buses to Raipur (the capital city of Chattisgarh state), Bilaspur, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Nagpur, etc, are available. Some of the National Highways of India passes through Jagdalpur (NH 221, NH 30, NH 16). Many other National highways connect Raipur, the state capital of Chattisgarh, to the rest of India. You can drive close to the Kailash Gufas by vehicle.

How do I go to Kutumsar Caves / Kotumsar Caves?

Kutumsar Caves or Kotumsar Caves are at a distance of around 38 kilometers from Jagdalpur.

How Do I Go to Dandak Caves?

Dandak Caves are at a distance of 26 kilometers from Jagdalpur on the Jagdalpur – Hyderabad National Highway, NH 221.

Nearest Railway Station and Airport to Kailash Caves, Kutumsar Caves, and Dandak Caves

Jagdalpur is the nearest railway station to the caves. The state capital, Raipur, has the nearest airport to these caves.