Borra Caves

It is said that the caves of Borra are over 150 years old. Borra caves are the natural caves that are said to emerge from the river Gosthani that flows through these caves. These caves are formed due to the flowing of the river over the limestone region. The pressure exerted on the mineral deposits dissolved the limestone.

This dissolved limestone trickled down drop by drop into the cave forming a variety of spectacularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. You can see different formations such as Shiv-Parvati, Mother-Child, Rishi’s Beard, Human Brain, Crocodile, Tiger and Cows udder and many more.

The British geologist William King Gorge discovered these wonder caves in the year 1807. But the local tribes in this region have a different story to tell. They claim that once a local cowherd lost his cow while he grazed. He soon realized the loss of his cow. As he looked around, he found that his cow was alive, feeding on the deep grass deep under a 60 feet deep pit. This was the moment when the cave was discovered.

When he went down into the cave, he found that there was a stalagmite which resembles the shape of the Shiva lingam. The cow was believed to be miraculously saved by Lord Shiva and soon after people started worshipping the lingam. Much later a small temple was constructed outside the cave and regularly the pujas are performed.

Borra caves are located 90-95 km away from Visakhapatnam. They are at about the height of 1450 feet above the sea level. Spread across the eastern ghats in the Ananthagiri hills along with complicated geology and limestone, Borra Caves are a must-visit place in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The terrain around the cave is rugged and mountainous and the caves are surrounded by the mica.

Using a train is an impressive way of visiting these caves. The nearest airport is Vishakhapatnam and the train takes about 5-6 hours to cover less than 100 kilometers. About traveling through 30 tunnels and thick vegetation, the train runs through the Eastern Ghats.  It takes about three to four hours by car to reach the caves via the Ghat Road. The best time to visit these caves is November and December. These caves are a popular tourist destination in Vizag due to the various interesting formations and the beautiful illumination by the sixty-three lamps of mercury, sodium vapor, and halogen.