Attractions for Tourists to Visit in Araku Valley

The Araku valley is one of the most preferred places for honeymoon, holiday and a getaway place from the busy schedules of city life. The serene environment encompasses of deep valleys, high mountains, the fresh aroma of coffee gardens and other places categorized as Araku Valley tourist attractions. 

Apart from the famous Borra Caves, there are a number of places to visit in Araku valley and to visit these lesser known places, one has to spend over a week in this area. Located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley offers trekking, bird watching, museum, temples and waterfalls as part of holidaying experience. 

The sharp bends on the mountain roads are exciting to travel and one can opt for the customized tour packages offered by the Andhra Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation or other private players. The Araku Valley tourist attractions include the historical temple of Matsyalingeshwara Swamy, dedicated to Lord Shiva who was the rescuer of the Fishermen seeking shelter from the attack of snakes. The temple is said to be centuries old standing as a witness to the fearful life led by the fishermen of yesteryears threatened by the attack of snakes. 

The Tyda village and park is the picnic spot where one can adventure trekking, viewing the wildlife and birds. The nurseries and tribal lifestyle is best depicted here. The Padmapuram botanical gardens maintain the tree huts hired to couples. 

No need to mention the excitement at naturally formed caves named as Borra caves. The depth and height of the caves is a wonder while it is believed that the Shiva deity at the entrance protects the visitors entering the caves. 

Sangda waterfalls, Dumbriguda Falls and the Katiki falls offer the best picnic spots for the tourists coming to Araku valley. The roads leading to these falls are filled with loads of coffee plantations. The berries hanging from these plantations emanate the aroma of fresh coffee and one would not want to miss out a hot cup of coffee sitting in the lap of Mother Nature. One can also get the feel of Portuguese life style at Bheemipuram beach which houses the historical structures which was inhabited by Portuguese few centuries ago. 

Coming to food, one can tickle their taste buds with the spicy bamboo chicken (chicken cooked on wild bamboo sticks). Places to visit in Araku Valley also include the tribal museum depicting the handicrafts where the tourists can pick up a few items made of clay as gifting options.

Borra Caves - 2nd Longest Cave in Asia

Borra Caves is located near the east coast of India in the Ananatagiri hills of Araku Valley of Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The elevation of the Ananatagiri hills range between 800 m to 1300 m. The caves are also known as “Borra Guhalu” in the local language, Telugu, which means bored caves. These caves are India’s largest caves raised at an elevation of about 705m, with an array of beautiful big and small speleothems (cave formations) with inconsistent forms of spikes or formed pillars called as Stalactites or Stalagmites. These stalagmites are formed when water dropping from the roof mounds, it contains minerals and calcium bi carbonate. The caves are made of karst, which means a landscape formed by the dissolution of stones or rocks like limestone or gypsum. Borra caves are mainly limestone structures and deep upto 80m, the deepest cave in India.

History

During a geological survey of India in 1807, William King George had discovered these caves.

Legend

Like any other great historical entity, Borra Caves also has a legend associated with it and is narrated by the locals. The tribals who inhabit the villages around the caves have a legend very famous among their tribes. According to the legend, once a cow fell down 60 m through a hole in the roof. These caves were discovered by a local, cowherd, when searching for his cow. It is said that he discovered a stone which looked like a Lingam and he depicted this as an act of god by protecting the cow. The villagers believing the story built a small Shiv Temple outside the cave.

Geography and Climate

Borra caves are situated in Araku Valley in Vishakhapatnam on Ananatagiri hill range, river Gosthani drains into this range, which is the major water supplying river in the city Vishakhapatnam. The cave measures upto 100m long and 75m wide at the entry. There are many stalagmites and stalactites formed and found in the caves. The annual temperature of the area where the caves are located on an average is 25°C and the reported rain falling mostly during the monsoon seasons from northeast goes up to 950mm.

Araku Tribal Museum - Explores the Tribal Culture of Eastern Ghats

The museum was started in February 1996 and is famous to be home to the marvelous tribes of Araku Valley. The Araku Tribal museum is unique in its own way displaying the lifestyle of the natives of the valley natives. It shows how the tribes lived, their cultural customs, traditions, social and economic lifestyle. Building the museum with mud and metals was an excellent way of portraying the authenticity and feel of the local tribes.

The aim of any museum is to preserve the city or region’s tradition and culture and any arts and artefacts of the natives found in and around the region and Araku Tribal Museum display all of these. The museum showcases the handicrafts and arts of the ancient tribes, it shows the original and significant nature of the local tribes. It also houses the finest textiles from the Northern Andhra. 

Architecture of Museum

The architecture of the museum has two levels out of which one showcases artefacts from tribal culture of Eastern Ghats. It displays beautifully designed tribal ware including the kitchen utensils which are made of iron or mud, the passage joining various sections of the museum is decorated with tribal art and drawings. While one of the sections has the houses on display showing the different hierarchies in the tribal system, other section shows colorful mannequins decorated in vibrant tribal clothes displaying the local folk/tribal dances.

Next level of museum has various stalls setup for the local tribal artisans to promote and sell their handicrafts or art work. A Tribal Arts and Craft Center is also set up to promote the unknown facts and history of the local tribal art and culture of the region. They also offer stay to the visitors, accommodation includes 10 double rooms, cafeteria and other public conveniences.

Attractions

There are other attractions for visitors like a fortune teller, the interesting fact about them is that they have parrots which can speak in the local language. There also is a coffee museum and a shop where a visitor can refresh and relish the local delicacies.

Best Time to Visit

Araku Valley has a pleasant climate throughout the year but October to March would be the best time to visit the museum.

Timings

Tourists and visitors are allowed entry into the museum from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day.

Tourist Attractions Around Araku Valley

The narrow roads and dangerous bends of the mountain roads are exciting to travel. There are a number of tour packages offering excitement and local tour to Araku valleys. Apart from the hilly roads, there are other attractions awaiting the tourists, discussed here:

Sri Matyalingeshwara Swamy

This century old temple has the presiding deity of Lord Sri Matyalingeshwara Swamy, considered to have rescued the fishermen from snakes. The deity then conceded to the request of the fishermen to visit their village and the village is named after Him as Matsya gundam, translated to English as “pool of fish”.

Coffee Plantations 

Araku Valleys are known for coffee plantations and the fresh aroma of coffee that emanates there from. The berries hanging from the shrubs and trees of coffee plants are a sight to watch.

Padmapuran Botanical Garden 

This Garden is maintained by the administrative wing of the State Tourism department housing a couple of tree huts. The kids can enjoy toy train ride while adults can spend time in the nurseries looking at variety of flowers and swings in the park.

Tyda Village and Park 

This is a picnic spot developed by the Tourism Department to encourage the tribal communities. Bird watching, trekking and wildlife viewing is some of the activities that is offered by this welcoming village of Araku Valleys.

Borra Caves 

Borra caves are formed naturally and is a must visit place in Araku. The Shiva temple at the entrance of cave is considered to protect people entering the cave from all dangers. The height and depth of the cave is a wonder to watch.

Dumbriguda Fall

The waterfalls in Paderu Village are a picnic spot that washes away all the thoughts of tension in life. This is a tiny village offering excellent picnic opportunity where one can spend one whole day without getting bored.

Sangda Waterfalls 

Sangda Waterfalls are smaller in height and is located in Sangda Village, making it a picnic spot to spend time in Araku valley region.

Katiki Falls

At this place, apart from viewing the waterfalls, one can taste the tribal spicy food of Bamboo-chicken.

Matsyagundam 

This place is famous for the folk tale relating to the fight between snakes and fishermen. Though there is no fishing allowed or snakes in this village, people still visit to bask in the joy of nature.

Bheemunipatnam Beach 

Considered to be inhabited by Portuguese in the past, this place is in proximity to Araku valley. The tall coconut trees and remnants of Portugal history makes this place a tourist spot.

Araku Tribal Museum 

The art and craft of the tribal people can be seen in person at the Araku Tribal Museum. Shopping enthusiasts can pick some handicraft or clay made items to take back home. The life and style of tribal’s are well depicted in the museum, making it a house of information.