Prehistoric limestone cave discovered in Telangana
The cave is a popular pilgrim centre of Raj Gond and Pardhan tribes living in Tiryani and surroundings
Kumram Bheem Asifabad: The Public Research Institute for History, Archeology and Heritage (PRIHAH), a Hyderabad-based independent organisation, have taken up research work of a cave located in Ginnedhari forest range in Tiryani mandal recently. The site, locally known as Arjun Loddi, is a limestone cave formed between 1.25 lakh and 11,000 years ago. The cave houses Arjun Pen who is worshipped by aboriginal tribes or Adivasis.
PRIHAH General Secretary MA Srinivasan told Telangana Today that the forests of Telangana are endowed with several such wonders. He said he and his team carried out research on the cave in the second week of July with the help of geologists. “We went into the cave and shot videos,” he added.
“The cave, a popular pilgrim centre of Raj Gond and Pardhan tribes living in Tiryani and surrounding parts of the district, failed to draw the attention of researchers and historians. As a result, it did not get due recognition and remains to be an unknown place to the people in the plains. Visitors have to literally crawl for about 30 metres through a narrow portion in the Kawal Tiger Reserve to reach the deity, formed by stalagmites and stalactites,” he observed.
Retired Deputy Director General of Geological Survey of India, Chakilam Venugopal Rao, who verified geological evidence of the site gathered by PRIHAH, said the cave may have formed due to geological changes occurring between 1,25,000 and 11,000 years. The groundwater eliminated limestone present in the mass of earth, giving rise to the caves during the Neoproterozoic era. An extensive study done on Kurnool caves can be an indicator to assess the age of this scenic spot, the general secretary observed.
The members of the independent research body claimed to have discovered certain tools used by humans in ancient times. They, however, opined that the Paleolithic age of Telangana could be completely understood if the history of the spot is studied in future. They observed that the spot may be used for introducing adventure sports as part of eco-tourism being promoted by Telangana.
The PRIHAH attributed the discovery of the history of the cave to the initiative to study the spot by Ginnedhari Forest Range Officer Thodisetti Pranay and a member of the organisation. It thanked the Forest department for extending its support in researching the ancient cave. They expressed gratitude to District Forest Officer S Shantharam and many others who encouraged and helped in exploring the lesser known sacred place.
General secretary of PRIHAH Srinivasan and FRO Pranay at the cave.
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