The Deepest Cave in India - Borra Caves, Araku, Vizag (Andhra)
Beautiful Borra Caves
Borra Caves are located on the east coast of India, in Anantagiri Hills, Andhra Pradesh and very near to APTDC Hill resort of Araku Valley. The caves, considered to be the deepest in the country, are basically Karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 262 feet.
The Borra Caves also known as Borra Guhalu in Telugu language ‘Borra’ means one thing that has bored into the bottom and ‘guhalu’ means that caves), are placed on the East Coast of India and the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley (with hill ranges elevation variable from 800 m (2,624.7 ft) to 1,300 m (4,265.1 ft)) of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. The Borra Caves one of the biggest in the India at an elevation of concerning 705 m (2,313.0 ft), clearly exhibit a range of impressive speleothems(pictured) starting from very little too massive and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The Borra Caves are primarily Karstic rock structures extending to a depth of 80 m (262.5 ft) (considered the deepest cave in India).
History and Legend of Borra Caves
The caves of Borra are said to be more than 150 years old. These wonder caves were discovered by the British geologist William King Gorge in the year 1807. The local tribals inhabitating in this area have a different story to tell. They say once a cowherd lost his cow while grazing. He soon realized that his cow had fallen down. He got worried, on looking down he found 60 feet deep hole, where he saw his cow was alive and feeding on the grass deep below. This was the time when the tribal has discovered the cave.
Location of Borra caves
Borra caves are situated at the distance of 90- 95 km from the city of Visakhapatnam. They are located at the height of 1450 feet above the sea level. They are spread in the Ananthagiri hill ranges of eastern ghats, which ranges between 800 to 1300 meters M.S.L. In Andhra Pradesh. November and December are considered as the best time to visit these caves.
Map Data
Map data ©2014 Google
Religious Significance of the Borra caves
These million year old Borra caves holds the great religious importance among the Hindus in India. Among the formations found in the cave, you may also find here 'Shivalingam' and the idol of the cow known as Kamadhenu.
Best time to visit
The Borra Caves can be visited throughout the year; November and December are considered the best time though, as the Araku Valley is pretty hot during summers.