Monday, March 28, 2011

THE BORRA CAVES ,VISAKHAPATNAM,ANDHRA PRADESH























  • On the discovery of the caves, there are several legends, which the tribals (Jatapu, Porja, Kondadora, Nookadora, valmiki etc.) who inhabit the villages around the caves narrate. 
                        
                                      
  • The popular legend is that a cow, grazing on the top of the caves, dropped 60 m (196.9 ft), through a hole in the roof. The cowherd while searching for the cow came across the caves. He found a stone inside the cave that resembled a Lingam, which he interpreted as the Lord Shiva who protected the cow. 
                                     
                                      
  • The village folk who heard the story believed it and since then they have built a small temple for Lord Shiva outside the cave. People flock to the temple for worship and the cave to get a glimpse of the Lingam . 
                       
                                      

THE BORRA CAVES ,VISAKHAPATNAM,ANDHRA PRADESH


























  • The Borra Caves, also called Borra Guhalu in Telugu language (‘Borra’ means something that has bored into the ground and ‘guhalu’ means caves), are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley (with hill ranges elevation varying from 800 m (2,624.7 ft) to 1,300 m (4,265.1 ft)) of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.
                    
                                          
  •  The Caves, one of the largest in the country, at an elevation of about 705 m (2,313.0 ft), distinctly exhibit a variety of impressive speleothems(pictured) ranging from very small to big and irregularly shaped, stalactites and stalagmites.
                                   
                                             
  • The Caves are basically Karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m (262.5 ft) (considered the deepest cave in India). In 1807, William King George of the Geological Survey of India discovered the caves. 
                  
                            

ARAKU VALLEY ,VISAKHAPATNAM,ANDHRA PRADESH





















  • Araku valley is a famous hill station of AP. It is located at a distance of 120 KM from Visakhapatnam ( Vizag )is famous for its scenic beauty. Located on the eastern ghats , it has valley, water falls and streams flowing by the side of the train track and roads . 
                            
                                    
  • The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoying as the rail passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. . It is better to go to Araku by train and return by road. You can see the local tribal dance at if you are on APTDC package tour. If you are at Araku then you must see Borra caves.
                                 
                                          
  •  Padmapuram Gardens: One of the main attraction is tree top cottages located in the middle of green surroundings of Araku valley. These tree huts ( hanging cottages ) are ten feet above the ground level and one can experience rare swing along with trees. Huts are attached with toilet and continuous water supply.