Tour to Araku Valley to have a Glimpse of its Organic Coffee Plantations

Far from the maddening crowds, located in a nice and remote place within the coastal town of Vishakhapatnam in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is the “Food Bowl of South India”, Araku Valley. What catches the fascination of the tourists coming here is the valley’s unspoilt beauty and its serene location. One of the major Araku Valley attractions is the organic coffee plantations that are found almost all over the hill station.

These coffee plantations in Araku Valley are spread over lush farmlands situated at around 3000ft. above sea level. Vishakhapatnam is a major tourist attraction with its port and beach. Located at just about 40km away from here, Araku Valley too is becoming a major tourist spot. It was during 2007 that the tribal growers launched their exclusive organic coffee brand here. One of the brands known as “Araku Emerald” that is grown here, is one of the most sought-after all over the world and it tastes absolutely divine.

The beauty of the coffee plantations in Araku Valley is further aggravated by the coffee berries that hang atop the trees. These plantations are the only source of income for most of the tribal groups who are the natives of the valley. It is hard to miss the rich and authentic aroma of coffee that emanates from the valley as tourists make an entry. The coffee aroma has become the most significant landmark of the Araku Valley over the past few years.

Some of the other famous Araku Valley attractions are the following:

• Borra Caves, a phenomenally tall and deep group of caves located just in the vicinity of the valley. As tourists enter into these caves, they can spot a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that was built by the locals.
• Padmapuram Botanical Gardens – This is a place where kids and adults get maximum enjoyment in the form of toy trains and swings. One can get to see the excellent wealth of flora at this place. There are three huts that can be used as accommodation places for tourists while coming here.
• MatyalingeshwaraSwamy Temple – Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the main deity here is considered to be the Saviour of Fishes, as he had saved the fishes in a fight against snakes many centuries ago.

Other than this, Araku Valley is replete with a range of waterfalls like Dumbriguda Falls, Sangda Waterfalls and Katiki Falls and other places like Tyda Village Park, Araku Tribal Museum, Bheemunipatnam Beach, Anantagiri Hills and Kakinada.

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.