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Borra is an agency village lying in the
Ananthagiri hills in the southeast corner of Srungavarapukota Taluk at a
distance of about 43-km from Srungavarapukota. It is at a distance of
about 90-95 km from Vishakhapatnam.
The caves at this place are popularly known as Borra Caves, which attained
historical and religious importance.
Situated
at 1,400m above sea level, they spread over the Eastern Ghats and occupy
an area of 2-sq-km. 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 there is an idol of
a cow ('Kamadhenu') 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.
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. 
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.
Hotels are available in Vishakhapatnam.
Araku - Borra Caves (One day conducted
tour)
Frequency: Daily
Timings: 7.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
Tariff: Adult Rs.160/, Child Rs.120/- (Including Lunch)
Lunch Break At Araku: 12.00P.M. to 1.00 P.M.
Places Covered: Tyada Railway Tunnel, Damuku View Point, Borra
Caves, Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation, Padmapuram Gardens & Araku
Valley.