The marvellous world of Borra Caves

There are incredible destinations in India that won't burn a hole in your pocket. One such gem lies near the largest coastal city in Andhra Pradesh. It's a million-year-old marvel of nature that is also one of India's deepest sites.

Welcome to Borra Caves. Situated 88 kilometres from Visakhapatnam, the Borra Caves grace the crown of Ananthagiri hills in Araku Valley. These limestone caves, at an elevation of about 705 m, are the largest in India, sprawling across two sq. kilometres. Here, you will be stunned by an array of speleothems (mineral deposits that form in caves over time), including stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes and shapes.

There are various tribal stories about how the caves were discovered. One popular tale recounts that a cow grazing on top of the caves accidentally fell through a hole in the roof. When the cowherd searched for the missing cow, he stumbled upon the caves. Inside, he found a stone resembling a Lingam, a representation of Lord Shiva, which he believed protected the cow. Hearing this tale, the villagers constructed a small temple for Lord Shiva outside the cave.

Known locally as Borrā Guhalu, where 'Borra' means abdomen and 'Gahalu' means 'caves' in Telugu, these caverns are a portal to the awe-inspiring wonders of the natural world. Reaching depths of up to 80 m, Borra Caves offer an otherworldly experience. The caves are illuminated by halogen lamps that barely pierce the darkness and evoke a sense of adventure.

Words fail to capture the sheer magnificence of Borra Caves, and no photograph can do justice to its splendour. You must see to believe it!

Inside the deep dark caves

If you ignore the legends, the real discovery of these caves happened in 1807 by William King George from the Geological Survey of India. The one thing you will perhaps find the most fascinating about these caves is that they continue to transform. The reason was the same that resulted in the formation of these caves over a long period: the reaction between calcium carbonate and limestone dissolves the minerals in the stone, leading to its disintegration. As small streams from the hills flow into the Gosthani River below, the reaction erodes the stones.

But the story doesn't end there. Water seeping from the cave roof reacts with calcium bicarbonate and other minerals on the rocks, creating mound-like stalagmites on the ground and spear-like stalactites hanging from the ceiling. These formations' diverse shapes and sizes spark the imagination, resembling sculptures of mother-child, Shiva-Parvati, monkeys, brain, crocodile, Rishi's beard, cow's udder, and more. Whether named or not, these incredible structures never fail to awe visitors.

A natural joint connects two massive stones from top to bottom towards one end of the caves. Deep inside, a plaque will inform you that the Kottavasala-Kirandul railway line passes directly above the caves at that point, with the rock thickness measuring 100 feet.

Anthropologists have unearthed stone tools older than 30,000 to 50,000 years from these caves. Apart from some lighting and fencing in certain areas and a few long staircases linking uneven plains, the cave remains largely untouched. Due to the ongoing chemical reactions, new formations emerge while old ones transform, ensuring that the Borra Caves remain a dynamic and captivating natural wonder.

Timings

Opening time - 10:00 AM

Closing time - 05:00 PM

Explore beyond the caves

Cover intriguing attractions such as the Tyada Railway Tunnel, Damuku Viewpoint, Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation, Padmapuram Gardens, and the breathtaking Araku Valley.

In the heart of the Eastern Ghats, the Borra Caves beckon explorers and nature enthusiasts. As you traverse the caves' marvels and embrace their legends, allow yourself to be captivated by this enchanting natural wonder of Visakhapatnam.