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'''Guttikonda Bilam''', also known as '''Guthikonda Bilam''', is a historic cave and a hill in [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. Guttikonda or Guthikonda is the name of a nearby village, while "Bilam" is the [[Sanskrit]] word for "cave". There are several caves in the region, collectively known as "Guthikonda Caves"; Guttikonda Bilam is the most well-known of these caves.<ref>[http://guntur.nic.in/guthikonda_caves.html Guntur District], National Informatics Centre</ref>
'''Guttikonda Bilam''', also known as '''Guthikonda Bilam''', is a historic cave and a hill in [[Piduguralla]] Mandal, [[Palnadu]] District of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. Guttikonda or Guthikonda is the name of a nearby village, while "Bilam" is the [[Sanskrit]] word for "cave". There are several caves in the region, collectively known as "Guthikonda Caves"; Guttikonda Bilam is the most well-known of these caves.<ref>[http://guntur.nic.in/guthikonda_caves.html Guntur District], National Informatics Centre</ref>


The cave is located around 3&nbsp;km south of the Guttikonda village, which lies 23&nbsp;km from [[Gurazala]], in the [[Guntur district]].{{cn|date=October 2020}}
The cave is located around 3&nbsp;km south of the Guttikonda village, which lies 15&nbsp;km from [[Piduguralla]], in the [[Palnadu district]].{{cn|date=October 2020}}


==Biology ==
== History ==
{{unreferencedsection|date=January 2018}}
No publications report on the biology of the cave till 2008. It was Mr. Shabuddin Shaik, an enthusiastic M. Sc zoology student of Acharya Nagarjuna University, who discovered tiny milky white creature for the first time in cave Guthikonda. Later isopod taxonomist decided to open a new chapter in Indian Phreatoicidea and identified as a new genus and species and named as ''Andhracoides shabuddin''  in honor of Mr. Shabuddin Shaik by naming the new species for "his child-like curiosity and inherent scientific interest at Taxonomy, Biodiversity & his  concern for environment."


The plankton samples of the cave pools, however, yielded only a dense population of stygophilic ''Mesocyclops'' sp also during his first visit.
Guttikonda Bilam is often called "Dakshina Kasi" by the locals. The cave is believed to have been used by sages for meditation. A copper sword found at the site suggests it was occupied in the [[Chalcolithic|Chalcolithic period]]. Memorials for People's War activists, including a portrait of [[Charu Majumdar|Charu Mazumdar]] were erected in the cave. It has a simple stone arch at the entrance and shallow water inside.<ref>{{Cite book| last1=Rao| first1=Dr. P. Purnachandra | title=Chronicle of Guntur District Tourism| year=2023| publisher=[[Acharya Nagarjuna University]]| edition= 1| location=Guntur| page=38}}</ref>
 
== Discovery of Cave Fauna ==
In 2008, Dr. Shabuddin Shaik, a [[biospeleology|biospeleologist]] and faculty member at [[Acharya Nagarjuna University]], made a significant discovery in Guttikonda Cave. While conducting research, he accidentally disturbed a pool of clear water, which became milky with tiny creatures. Upon further investigation, Shaik identified the micro-crustacean as a previously unknown species. This new species was named Andhracoides shabuddin in his honor. Shaik’s discoveries highlight the rich biodiversity hidden in Indian caves, much of which remains unexplored. His research sheds light on the evolution of various life forms and boosts taxonomy and biodiversity studies in India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=G. Venkataramana |date=2018-09-20 |title=Zoological Society of London honour for A.P. scientist |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/zoological-society-of-london-honour-for-ap-scientist/article24999844.ece |access-date=2024-10-12 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Villages in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Caves of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Caves of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Articles expanded in Collaboration with ANU, Guntur]]

Latest revision as of 11:00, 10 August 2025

Guttikonda Bilam
Map showing the location of Guttikonda Bilam
Map showing the location of Guttikonda Bilam
LocationGuttikonda, Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates16°23′42″N 79°49′41″E / 16.395°N 79.828°E / 16.395; 79.828
Elevation157 m

Guttikonda Bilam, also known as Guthikonda Bilam, is a historic cave and a hill in Piduguralla Mandal, Palnadu District of Andhra Pradesh, India. Guttikonda or Guthikonda is the name of a nearby village, while "Bilam" is the Sanskrit word for "cave". There are several caves in the region, collectively known as "Guthikonda Caves"; Guttikonda Bilam is the most well-known of these caves.[1]

The cave is located around 3 km south of the Guttikonda village, which lies 15 km from Piduguralla, in the Palnadu district.[citation needed]

History[edit | edit source]

Guttikonda Bilam is often called "Dakshina Kasi" by the locals. The cave is believed to have been used by sages for meditation. A copper sword found at the site suggests it was occupied in the Chalcolithic period. Memorials for People's War activists, including a portrait of Charu Mazumdar were erected in the cave. It has a simple stone arch at the entrance and shallow water inside.[2]

Discovery of Cave Fauna[edit | edit source]

In 2008, Dr. Shabuddin Shaik, a biospeleologist and faculty member at Acharya Nagarjuna University, made a significant discovery in Guttikonda Cave. While conducting research, he accidentally disturbed a pool of clear water, which became milky with tiny creatures. Upon further investigation, Shaik identified the micro-crustacean as a previously unknown species. This new species was named Andhracoides shabuddin in his honor. Shaik’s discoveries highlight the rich biodiversity hidden in Indian caves, much of which remains unexplored. His research sheds light on the evolution of various life forms and boosts taxonomy and biodiversity studies in India.[3]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Guntur District, National Informatics Centre
  2. Rao, Dr. P. Purnachandra (2023). Chronicle of Guntur District Tourism (1 ed.). Guntur: Acharya Nagarjuna University. p. 38.
  3. Rao, G. Venkataramana (20 September 2018). "Zoological Society of London honour for A.P. scientist". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 October 2024.