Borra Shiva Caves, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Borra Shiva Caves, Ananthagiri hills, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531149

Diety

Shiva Amman: Parvati

Introduction

• Location: East Coast of India, Ananthagiri Hills in the Araku Valley, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Elevation: Approximately 705 meters (2,313 feet) above sea level.
• Discovery: The caves were discovered in 1807 by William King George of the Geological Survey of India.
• Features: One of the largest cave systems in India, notable for its diverse speleothems including stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes and irregular shapes.

Puranic Significance:

• Popular Legend:
  • A cow grazing on top of the caves fell through a hole in the roof.
  • The cowherd, searching for the cow, found a stone inside the cave resembling a Shiva Lingam.
  • Believing it to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva, a small temple was built outside the cave, and worshippers began visiting the site.
• Lyrical Legend:
  • The Shiva Lingam in the cave is said to be beneath a stone formation resembling a cow (Kamadhenu).
  • The udder of this divine cow is believed to be the source of the Gosthani River, which flows through Vizianagram and Visakhapatnam districts before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Bheemunipatnam.
• Geological Formation:
  • The caves were formed by the action of perennial water flow over millions of years.
  • Humic acid in the water reacts with calcium carbonate in the limestone, dissolving minerals and creating various rock formations.
  • The total length of the caves is about 200 meters.
• Historical Context:
  • The caves have been shaped by geological processes involving the dissolution of limestone.
  • The Dandakaranya – Bolangir – Kibur train track passes over the caves, integrating the natural formation with human infrastructure.

Century/Period/Age

1000- Years old

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Nearest Bus Station

Ananthagiri

Nearest Railway Station

Vishakhapatnam

Nearest Airport

Vishakhapatnam

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