Dandak Cave

Dandak Cave is a natural limestone cave located inside Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, about 30 kilometres from Jagdalpur. Formed by karst processes over millions of years, it features stalactite and stalagmite formations, narrow passages and dark chambers. Part of the Kanger limestone belt alongside Kotumsar and Kailash caves, it is accessed by guided tours and is notable for its geological formations and forested national park setting.

Visitors can expect a guided walk through a dark limestone cave inside dense forest of Kanger Valley National Park. The cave has narrow entry passages, low-light chambers, stalactite and stalagmite formations, and damp, slippery floors. Exploration is on foot with a guide and torchlight, with viewing of natural rock formations and cave-dwelling bats. The surrounding area is forested with access via park roads from Jagdalpur.

The caves of Kanger Valley are formed in Proterozoic limestone through karst processes over millions of years. Dandak Cave is part of this limestone belt and was systematically explored in recent decades alongside Kotumsar Cave, contributing to speleological understanding of the Bastar region.

Located in the Dandakaranya forest region traditionally referenced in Indian literature, the cave lies within the cultural landscape of Bastar tribal communities and is part of the natural heritage of Kanger Valley National Park.