road in three hours. November-December would be the ideal time to visit the caves. Journeying by train is the most exciting since one can traverse through the Eastern ghats crossing 30 tunnels and thick vegetation.

Situated at 1,400m above sea level, William King George of the Geological Survey of India discovered Borra Caves in the year 1807. Tribals for whom the place has enormous religious significance inhabit the entire region surrounding Borra caves.

Deep in the caves there is a 'Shivalingam' over which a cow idol (‘Kamadhenu’) is and the river Gosthani takes its origin from the udder of this cow. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation illuminates the caves with sixty-three lamps of mercury, sodium vapour and halogen lamps, which make the interior of the caves colourful and spectacular.

November- December would be the ideal time to visit the caves. There are mica mines in and around this village and it is believed that there are immense possibilities of mining precious stones like rubies.

Formation of Borra Caves

The natural formations of Borra caves are unique, and are breathtakingly beautiful. These limestone caves were formed as a result of the action of the Gosthani River. Once upon a time the Gosthani River was flowing over this limestone area and due to the pressure exerted by the river water on the mineral deposits, the limestones dissolved and gradually the caves were formed. It was a two-way process.

The dissolved limestone trickled down drop by drop on the floor of the cave. These solidified to form irregularly shaped stalagmites. Simultaneously, some of the water drops from the roof solidify to form stalactites.

Over a period of time, these calcium deposits of stalagmites and stalactites grew upwards and downwards respectively, and at some points touch each other to form different parts of the caves. While some of the deposits are in weird shapes, others have formed into fantastic structures, which have acquired a religious significance over a period of time.

Prime Attractions

There are several interesting structures inside the caves. These include a mushroom formation, a temple, a mosque, a church and many more. Along with the calcium deposits, there are traces of yellow-coloured sulphur deposits on the ground. Flowing between the solidified stalagmites and stalactites is the Gosthani river, which heads towards Orissa , once out of the caves.

How to Get There

Air:
The nearest airport is at Vishakhapatnam.

Rail:
Travelling by train is the most exciting since one has to traverse through the Eastern Ghats crossing 30 tunnels and thick vegetation to reach Borra Caves. It can be reached in 5-6 hours by train from Vishakhapatnam.

Road: It takes three hours to reach Borra Caves via the Ghat road from Vishakhapatnam. State buses and Taxis are available.

Where to Stay
Hotels are available in Vishakhapatnam.