ANANTPUR --- PUTTAPARTHI AND BELUM CAVES

Anantpur or Anantapuram as is known in vernacular local language is in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Anantpur is also the home town of former Indian President Neelam Sanjiv Reddy.
Though Anantpur has not many places locally, except the Anantpur Tower Clock which was built during the independence days, there are any many places of interests near Anantpur.
Lepakshi temple, 15 kms from Anantpur, Lepakshi means temple of blinded eye. The story is that Virupanna, a treasurer executed the plans of temple spending the treasures of the Vijaynagar King, and who was subsequently punished to blind his eyes, the two black spots can still be found on the walls of Kalyan Mandaps.
The beautiful sculptures on the prakaram are Lord Shiva’s 14 forms, a notable example of Vijaynagar style of architecture.
Another visiting sight is Belum Caves, 85 kms from Anantpur, 3229 length (mtr) , with long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. The deepest point is 120ft from entrance level. These caves formed by erosion of the lime stone deposits millions years ago, were used by Jains and Buddhists monks for spiritual developments. Tourism dept has some arrangements for restoration and maintenance of the caves for the convenience of the visitors, moderate dormitory type of accommodation is also available near caves site.
Puttaparthi , 97 kms from Anantpur is the home of Shri Sathya Sai , the “ Godman “ who preaches the universal religion, love and service to the mankind, with vast number of devotees from all over the world.
Thimmamma, 100 kms from Anantpur has a banyan tree with its branches spread over 5 acres; this tree has been recorded as the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Record 1989.