The Kutumsar caves which are situated at the distance of about 35 kms from Jagdalpur, the district headquarters town of Bastar, was opened for tourists from Saturday, officials said.
The underground caves are located in the dense forests of Kanger Valley National Park, near the Tirathgarh Waterfalls. The park officials have engaged at least 15 guides to provide guidance to the visitors, they said.
The guides will accompany the tourists and take them to different parts of the caves. They will also make them aware of the historical facts of the caves.
The tribal-populated Bastar district is home to several tourist places which include the Kanger vally, Bastar Palace, the Danteshwari Temple.
The natural landscape of the region encompasses many beautiful waterfalls, both big and small, surrounded with lush green forests. The horse-shoe shaped Chitrakot falls is considered as the largest waterfall in central India, and a major tourist attraction.
The tourists are expressing their reluctance to visit the caves after a congress convoy was ambushed by Maoists in the Jiram Valley on May 25.
last year the caves were opened for tourists in October but this year it was delayed due to heavy rain in the region, Kanger Valley National Park in-charge loknath Patel said.
The park officials close the caves to tourists during the rainy season because poisonous snakes and insects move in open. The caves have been opened for tourists and arrangements have been made to provide them with all necessary facilities, he said.