April 2, 2015

B – BURRA CAVES

B - stands for BURRA CAVES located 1,400 metres above sea level in Visakhapatnam. 
We can find these caves on the way to Aaraku valley. 



image from Google


Borra Caves are also called Borra Guhalu in Telugu language. Borra means something that has bored into the ground and guhalu means caves, this is located on the east coast of India in Anantagiri hills of the Araku valley of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. The caves are one of the largest in the country and also considered the deepest cave in India.




There are several Legends about these caves, wherein the tribal’s around the villages narrate. The popular legend is that a cow, grazing on the top of the caves, dropped 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 to worship.






“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark

The River which originates from these caves and flows between the solidified stalactites and stalagmites in the karstic lime stones formation is the cause for the development of the odd shapes and structures. Stalactites are calcium carbonate deposits that hang from the top of the cave.  Stalagmites are deposits that form at the bottom of the cave and grow upward.  

These deposits have developed into interesting forms and structures inside the caves such as Shiva parvathi, mother-child, rishi’s beard, etc… It’s interesting to see the forms that have now become tourist attraction.  The tourism has made efforts to add to the natural beauty by adding colorful lights.

Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borra_Caves

Be Happy & Happy Blogging !!

26 comments:

  1. Beautiful. There is something about caves which always makes me feel at peace:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its a mixed feeling to be in this place, its nice when you are with your family, and see this with awe... but to be alone in this place can be frightening.... even though there are pathways made.. I did not take the complete tour..

      Delete
  2. I love the pictures, I love visiting caves :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad to know that you love caves... then you must visit this place, you get a mysterious feeling as you keep moving inside...I will need a companion by my side to go into the caves..

      Delete
  3. Burra caves I remember went with Shyam and another friend..was so scared to go deep inside as it was dark.. that time climbing and travelling was not an issue.. but had enjoyed the trip...I remember you telling me your daughters exp and excitement also after the visit...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Aparna, for me it was a second time, as I went before with Divya Disha friends and I was much younger, marvelled at the rock formations, even took some pics... now after some 20 years.. I found difficult to climb down the stairway(they have lighted the path) so I did not walk much, my daughter was excited as she has come for the first time, and david was worried about his legs.. so I did not really go around much.

      Delete
  4. You would have to pay me to go here! I'd feel claustrophobic! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure why not Corinne, the entry of this place is done up very well from what I saw before; earlier it was all so open and I took help from DD friends holding their hands to climb down; now its much better, there are colourful lights and from inside the cave the trees and sky look very beautiful..

      Delete
  5. Fascinating! I liked the stalagmite and stalactite structures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's nice to know shilpa... you will appreciate this place....

      Delete
  6. Great pics! Caves intrigue me and if you have been to Edakkal caves in Kerala, that is great as well..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks dear... I would be happy to see Edakkal caves, recently when I went to madurai for a seminar, the place where I stayed had caves built by Jains...but I could not get time to go to these caves... I found the place interesting..

      Delete
  7. These caves look amazing!

    Claire with Pam's Unconventional Alliance
    http://aFieldTripLife

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! How interesting. I always find caves fascinating and a little scary!

    Suzanne
    National Writing for Children Center
    http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, caves are interesting, and as you rightly so it is scary to go alone to visit..

      Delete
  9. I liked that you included the background about the origination of the caves. Found that really interesting. Thanks for sharing, Angela. :)
    *Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to know that you liked this post... I was wondering what to write for this post, and after some deep thinking, decided to add a bit of the background...

      Delete
  10. Spectacular! Love this. I would love to explore!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear from you, and pray that you get opportunity to visit this place....

      Delete
  11. These are so beautiful. I have witnessed these sort of limestone caves in Andamans. They were mesmerising too like the pictures you have shared above.

    ReplyDelete
  12. These are so beautiful. I have witnessed these sort of limestone caves in Andamans. They were mesmerising too like the pictures you have shared above.

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are so beautiful. I have witnessed these sort of limestone caves in Andamans. They were mesmerising too like the pictures you have shared above.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks dear, nice to know that you have seen these sort in Andamans.. ..my daughter's dream place, ever since one of her friend has gone to Andamans.. she has been asking me to plan.. nice to connect here..

      Delete

Recent Comments

Recent Comments Widget