About Borra Caves Visakhapatnam (Vizag)
Borra Caves also known as Borra Guhalu, located in the Ananthagiri hills of Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Andhra Pradesh. Borra Caves are the largest caves of the country, at an elevation of about 705 m. Borra Caves are known for its unique formation of stalactites and stalagmites. Calcium deposits in the form of rocks, that makes the caves as Natural Wonder.
It is a variety of Speleothems ranging in size and irregularly shaped structures. The Caves are basically karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m (260 ft) and considered as the deepest caves in India. The Name Borra means hole in Odia Language and Guhalu means Caves in Telugu, so they are known as Borra Guhalu other than Borra Caves.
The Villagers who inhabit the village narrate several legends on the discovery of the caves, the popular legend is that a cow, grazing on the top of the caves fell through a hole in the roof. The cowherd who was searching the cow came across the caves, he found a stone inside the cave that looked like Lingam which he interpreted as the Lord Shiva, who protected the cow. There is a Temple built outside the Cave of Lord Shiva. People visit the temple for worship and the caves to have a glimpse of the Lingam.
Tourist places in Visakhapatnam (vizag)
The River Gosthani Originates from here, flows through Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam district before falling into the Bay of Bengal near Bheemunipatnam. The Caves are located in the Araku Valley of Ananthagiri Hill. At the entry of the Cave they measure up to 100 m
(330 ft) Horizontally and 75 m Hills where the caves are situated is about 25 °C. The average rainfall reported is 950 mm Archeological artifacts have been found in the caves.
Borra Caves is a must visit, for a package of Visakhapatnam. Borra Caves cover interesting attractions like the Tyda Railway Tunnel, Damuku viewpoint. Padmapuram Gardens, Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation and the Araku Valley. An Araku and Borra Rail-cum-road package tour is organized by Andhra Pradesh State Tourism Department.
How to Reach Borra Caves
The Borra Caves are approximately 90 kilometers from the city of Vizag and it takes around 2.5 hours by car to get here and 3 hours by train from Visakhapatnam (Vizag) to the Araku valley and take a taxi from the railway station. Buses are also available from Vizag to Borra Caves and the Araku Valley. Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ) is the nearest major international airport.
Train schedules of Borra caves
Entry times to the Borra caves: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Train name: 58501 / Visakhapatnam – Kirandul Passenger
Visakhapatnam Station departure time: 7:05 a.m.
Train frequency: once a day. Run daily.
Arrival time at the Borra caves (Guhalu): 10:00 a.m.
Train journey: 3 hours (approx.)
Return train from Borra Guhalu to Visakhapatnam
Train arrival time to the Borra caves: 4:45 p.m.
Departure time from the Borra caves: 4:50 p.m.
The train arrives in Visakhapatnam at 8:10 p.m.
Travel time: 3 hours (approx)