Kailash Caves: Your Guide To Exploring This Ancient Marvel

Stalagmites of gold metallic colour formed in a dark cave along with several other rocks

The Kailash Caves were founded in 1993 by the director of Kanger Valley National Park. The cave is 200 meters long, 35 meters wide, and 55 meters deep, with the earliest limestone formations. Located inside a hill 40 meters above the valley, it is filled with stalactites and stalagmites, which took thousands of years to form. The cave has a pathway along railings and solar-powered electric light. The cave’s name is derived from the fact that a stalagmite resembling Shiva Lingam is almost 30 meters from the entrance.

Quick Details

Location: Kanger Valley National Park, near Jagdalpur, Bastar, Chattisgarh
How To Reach: With your conveyance or hiring a private vehicle
Nearest Airport: Jagdalpur Airport or Maa Danteshwari Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Jagdalpur Train Station
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Where To Eat: Dine Excellency, Rainforest Restaurant, Naman Bastar
Where To Stay: Bastar Jungle Resort, Hotel Akanksha, Hotel Sudha Palace

Location

Two orange and green coloured trunks of the tree upholding the board of the park

Photo: Mettle30 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

15 kilometres in the Kanger Valley National Park, the Kailash Caves are situated. Which is near Jagdalpur city in the Bastar district of the Chattisgarh state. The Dandak Caves and Tirathgarh Waterfalls are close to this cave.

How To Reach

Panoramic landscape and the beautiful roads covered by trees from both sides in Chhattisgarh

Photo: AlNo / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

By Train: Jagdalpur train station is the closest railway station to the Kailash Caves. It is almost 32 kilometres away from the Kailash caves.

By Air: Jagdalpur Airport, also known as Maa Danteshwari Airport, is the nearest airport to the Kailash Caves. It is situated at a distance of 33 kilometres from the caves.

By Road: Kailash Caves are part of a Kanger Valley National Park, you can reach there by hiring a taxi or with your conveyance, such as a car or a jeep.

Places To Explore Near Kailash Caves

Here is the list of top places that you can explore near the Kailash Caves on your trip to Chhattisgarh.

1. Madarkonta Caves

Tree bark like patterns have formed on large limestone placed near water and rocks

Photo: Dhruva Punde / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representations Only

The Madarkonta Caves are located near Jagdalpur city in the Bastar region. To reach the caves, tourists might have to trek for about 200-300 meters. The name of the cave is derived from a nearby village named Madarkonta. The cave is 300 meters long and has several halls inside it.
It is termed one of the hidden gems of the Chattisgarh region and is situated along a small riverbank. The Madarkonta Caves have various species of bats and troglobites housed in them. The limestone formations can be seen in the cave, which takes several thousand years to develop.

Distance From The Kailash Caves: 34 kilometres
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM

2. Narayanpal Vishnu Temple

Front view of the Narayanpal Vishnu temple showcasing its stunning architecture

Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons

The Narayanpal Vishnu Temple is situated in a village that used to be known as Narayanpur but changed to Narayanpal. It is said to be built by the queen of the Chindak dynasty, Mumundadevi, and has an influence on the Chalukya’s style of architecture. The temple is located near the Chitrakote waterfalls and was constructed over 1000 years ago. In the 11th century, this temple was completely built and devoted to Lord Vishnu. It holds the historical, cultural, and spiritual values of the Bastar region.

Distance From The Kailash Caves: 65 km
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM

3. Dandak Caves

Inside view of the Dandak caves showcasing the limestones hanging from the ceiling

Photo: Pexels / pixabay / Image For Representation Only

The Dandak Caves are 200 meters long, 15 to 25 meters deep, and have a width of 20 meters. They were founded in 1995 and are situated near the Kailash Caves. There are 2 big chambers in the cave known to be able to accommodate around 500 people at once. Both of the chambers are filled with stalagmites and stalactites, which are types of limestone formations. Tourists have to crawl on their knees to get to the other chamber, as the path to reach there is narrow and small in size.

Distance From The Kailash Caves: 33 kilometres
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM

4. Tirathgarh Waterfalls

From block shaped rocks, a waterfall is falling down and dividing into small waterfalls

Photo: RISHI PANDEY / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

The Tirathgarh Waterfall flows from a height of 300 feet and divides into several small waterfalls.
It is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the Kanger Valley National Park and known for being surrounded by greenery. On the other side of the waterfall, there is an ancient Hindu temple of Lord Shiva, which is said to be around 1000 years old. The Tirathgarh waterfalls stay at their peak from July to October. The fall is formed on the Munga River and creates a scenic view for the visitors to watch. The Lord Shiva temple near the waterfalls is treated as a pilgrimage site by the people.

Distance From The Kailash Caves: 37 kilometres
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

5. Chitrakote Waterfalls

A boat full of people is passing by while the majestic waterfalls are flowing down

Photo: Writingwithlight / Wikimedia Commons

The Chitrakote Waterfalls are a natural waterfall situated near Jagdalpur city on the Indravati River. The height of this waterfall is almost 30 meters, and the width is 300 meters. It is also known as “Niagara Falls of India” and is one of the widest existing waterfalls in the country. During the monsoon season, the width of the waterfall can vary and reach up to 500 meters. It has a horseshoe shape, and during the dry season, visitors can go boating near the base of the waterfall. The local tribes consider the place around the waterfall to be sacred, and during festivals, they often perform various rituals around it.

Distance From The Kailash Caves: 67 kilometres
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM

Other Factors To Consider

A group of people navigating their path in the cave equipped with a lamp, bags, and a hatViewers of this file can see comments and suggestions

Photo: Tan Danh / Wikimedia Commons

The Kailash Caves can be visited in the spring or winter season. From November, winter starts and lasts until February. In the winter season, the humidity inside the cave stays low, whereas, during monsoons, the cave stays closed due to increased water levels.

Tips For The Visitors

  • Wear a helmet or a good-quality hat.
  • Carry a flashlight or a headlight.
  • Carry a water bottle.
  • Wear comfortable trekking shoes.
  • Follow the instructions given by the guide.

The Kailash Caves, located in Kanger Valley National Park, are a 200-meter-long limestone wonder. Known for their ancient stalactites and stalagmites, the caves feature a natural formation that resembles a Shiva Lingam. It is equipped with solar-powered lights and a safe pathway for tourists. Book your trip with TripXL to explore the cave and its stunning formations, as well as various other tranquil attractions in the region.

Cover Photo: Prof Ranga Sai / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kailash Caves timings are from 10 AM to 5 PM. The caves stay open on all days except the monsoon season and on Sundays.
Before taking Kailash Caves photos and videos, it is advised to ask the guide. Due to the flash light of the camera, the ecosystem of the cave might get affected.
The ticket price for adults is ₹15 and for children it is ₹5. The caves stay closed from 15 June to 16 October during the monsoon season.
Many stays are available for the tourists if they want to visit the Kailash Caves such as hotels and PGs. They are available in the Jagdalpur city of Chattisgarh state.
Kailash Caves address is Kanger Valley National Park, Jagdalpur city of Bastar district in Chattisgarh, India. The city is approximately 32 km away from the caves.

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