Borra Caves
Sub Place Details: Borra Caves are spectacular karst limestone formations located at an altitude of 705 meters in the Ananthagiri hills. Discovered by William King of the Geological Survey of India in 1807, these caves are estimated to be millions of years old. The caves were formed by the action of the Gosthani River flowing through the limestone area, dissolving the rock over eons. They are known for their magnificent Stalactites and Stalagmites, which have taken shapes resembling Lord Shiva, a Mother-Child, a Crocodile, and even a Human Brain. The caves extend to a depth of 80 meters, making them the deepest caves in the country. Anthropologists have found stone tools here dating back to the Middle Paleolithic age (30,000 to 50,000 years ago).
General information
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Ideal Duration:
2 to 3 HoursPlace Type:
Natural Wonder & GeologicalEntry Fees:
Sub Place Entry Fees: For Adults, the entry fee is 60 INR, and for Children, it is 45 INR. If you wish to take a camera inside, there is an additional charge of 100 INR for digital cameras. Video camera charges are higher, typically around 200 INR, and parking fees range f...Sub Place Entry Fees: For Adults, the entry fee is 60 INR, and for Children, it is 45 INR. If you wish to take a camera inside, there is an additional charge of 100 INR for digital cameras. Video camera charges are higher, typically around 200 INR, and parking fees range from 30 to 50 INR.Timing:
Sub Place Timings: The caves are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day, including weekends. The ideal time to visit is around 11:00 AM when the sunlight is at its peak and filters beautifully through the cave's mouth. Allow at least two hours to explore the entire depth ...Sub Place Timings: The caves are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day, including weekends. The ideal time to visit is around 11:00 AM when the sunlight is at its peak and filters beautifully through the cave's mouth. Allow at least two hours to explore the entire depth and various chambers.Special Events:
Sub Place Special Event: Maha Shivaratri is the most significant event here, where thousands of devotees flock to the cave temple to offer prayers to the natural Lingam. The caves are also a part of the Araku Utsav schedule, featuring lighting displays and cultural informat...Sub Place Special Event: Maha Shivaratri is the most significant event here, where thousands of devotees flock to the cave temple to offer prayers to the natural Lingam. The caves are also a part of the Araku Utsav schedule, featuring lighting displays and cultural information stalls. Geological workshops are occasionally held here for students to study the unique rock formations and mineral compositions.Best Photo Spots:
Sub Place Best Photo Spots: The Main Entrance of the cave, where the natural sunlight meets the internal LED lights, creates a stunning contrast for photos. The formation resembling the Human Brain is a popular spot for close-up macro photography of the limestone textures. ...Sub Place Best Photo Spots: The Main Entrance of the cave, where the natural sunlight meets the internal LED lights, creates a stunning contrast for photos. The formation resembling the Human Brain is a popular spot for close-up macro photography of the limestone textures. The view of the deepest chamber from the upper gallery walkway gives a sense of the cave's massive scale. The Shiva Temple inside the cave, illuminated by lamps and LEDs, offers a spiritual and atmospheric photographic subject.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Sub Place Things to Do: Walk through the well-lit pathways and admire the towering stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years. Take the steep staircase down to the deepest part of the cave to see the revered Shiva Lingam formation. Hire a local guide to point out the various shapes like the 'Tiger', 'Elephant', and 'Mother-Child' hidden in the rocks. Experience the thrill of the Vistadome train ride from Vizag to Borra Guhalu station for a scenic approach. Visit the nearby Katiki Waterfalls, which requires a short 2 KM trek through the jungle and coffee plantations. Capture long-exposure photos of the colorful LED lights reflecting off the wet limestone walls. Enjoy a local meal of Bamboo Chicken from the tribal vendors stationed outside the cave entrance. ...
Information
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Why Famous:
Why Famous Sub Place: Borra Caves is famous for its unique speleothems (mineral deposits) that create a variety of imaginative shapes and structures. It is a major site for geologists and researchers interested in the study of karst topography in India. The caves are also ...Why Famous Sub Place: Borra Caves is famous for its unique speleothems (mineral deposits) that create a variety of imaginative shapes and structures. It is a major site for geologists and researchers interested in the study of karst topography in India. The caves are also a place of religious pilgrimage due to the naturally formed Shiva Lingam located deep inside the cavern. The Vistadome train journey to the caves is one of the most famous tourist experiences in India, passing through 58 tunnels. The site's prehistoric significance, indicated by the discovery of ancient stone tools, adds to its global fame. -
Architecture:
Sub Place Architecture: The architecture of Borra Caves is purely natural, sculpted by the chemical reaction of humic acid in water with calcium carbonate. The caves span a total length of about 200 meters and feature several chambers with varying heights and widths. The e...Sub Place Architecture: The architecture of Borra Caves is purely natural, sculpted by the chemical reaction of humic acid in water with calcium carbonate. The caves span a total length of about 200 meters and feature several chambers with varying heights and widths. The entrance is a massive opening that allows sunlight to filter through, creating a dramatic lighting effect. Inside, the APTDC has installed colorful LED lighting to highlight the different formations and pathways. The dimensions of the main cavern are vast, with some ceilings reaching over 30 meters high. A small Shiva Temple is built near one of the stalagmite formations that resembles a Lingam, adding a structural element to the natural cave. -
How To Reach:
Sub Place How to Reach:
By Air: From Visakhapatnam Airport (95 KM), hire a taxi for a 3-hour journey through the Ghat roads.
By Train: Take the Vizag-Kirandul Passenger and get down at Borra Guhalu Station, f... -
Near Tourist Places:
Katiki Waterfalls (4 KM), Ananthagiri Hills (10 KM), Tyda Nature Camp (15 KM), Araku Tribal Museum (35 KM), Coffee Museum (36 KM), Galikonda View Point (25 KM), Padmapuram Gardens (37 KM), Chaparai Waterfalls (45 KM), Matsyagundam (65 KM), Tatipudi Reservoir (40 KM)
Tourism Tips
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Sub Place Tourism Tips: Wear sturdy, non-slip walking shoes as the limestone floors inside the caves are often damp and can be quite slippery. Carry a flashlight if you want to see the darker corners and formations that the installed LED lights might not fully reach. Be pr...
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Uma Maheshwara Swamy TempleYaganti Cave TemplesAdoni FortAhobilam TempleGandikota FortMahanandiMangampeta WaterfallsMantralayam Nallamalla ForestOravakallu Rock GardenRavadurg Gooty FortRollapadu Wildlife SanctuarySiddavatam FortThimmamma MarrimanuAraku Tribal MuseumAraku ValleyBheemili BeachBojjannakondaMore PlacesNote:-
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