Visit to Borra Caves in Araku Valley by Murli Menon

One is writing this from the cool comfort of one's hill facing room at the homely Forest Guest House at Araku Valley. Araku Valley is a paradise
for all those who love the sun, the mist, the clouds and the hills. The best part of getting to Araku Valley from Visakhapatnam is the train
journey. Visakhapatnam is connected to Kirandul in Chhatisgarh falling under the East Coast Railway Zone. The train number is 58501 and this
train is a passenger train. Rush to the station early, book your tickets on the spot and board the train to get a window seat. There is one first
class compartment in the train for those who prefer first class. This train starts from Visakakhapatnam at 6:50 a.m. sharp and arrives at
Kirandul at 8:50 p.m. on the same day. The most picturesque part of the journey is from Visakhapatnam to Araku Station. This train reaches
Araku Station at 10:40 a.m. Araku Valley forests are full of Silver Oak trees aiming to reach the skies. As the trees are arranged in concentric
circles, one can go into a trance as one watches them fly past you in endless rows during the train journey. The train starts at 6: 50 a.m. and
the journey through Marripalem,Simhachalam,Pendurti,Kottavalasa,Mallividu,Lakkavarapukota,Shrungavarapukota and Shivalingapuram is
uneventful. However, as the train makes it way up the ghats from Shivalingapuram to Tyda, the landscape turns into several shades of green,
from light to dark to deep green.

.Tyda is on the foothill of the Eastern Ghats and is home to many log-huts where one can stay and enjoy gentle treks through the surrounding
forests. One can speak to the forest officers and obtain permission for pitching tents if interested in camping.
Araku Valley is home to some quaint little waterfalls, thick forests, ancient trees amidst a verdant valley nestled between the eastern ghats
One passes through 37 tunnels after crossing Tyda. This Railway line was started to transport Bauxite from the mineral rich states of Orissa
and Chattisgarh to Visakhapatnam port. This train passes through south India's highest broad gauge station Similiguda which comes one just
before Borra Caves. After Tyda, the train snakes its way through the Ghats offering airplane views of the hills and valleys. The slope is gentle
and the journey is comfortable. The train does slow down before entering the tunnels, offering breathtaking views. The 36th tunnel is the
longest and stretches to a distance of 1.2 km. As the train comes out of the pitch darkness of the tunnel, it is a simulation of flying over the
hills as the train appears to be momentarily suspended over the skies.

Though the journey from Visakhapatnam to Araku takes all of 4 hours, one wonders how time flew and within no time one has reached Araku
Station. The journey has been shortened as the window of the train opens you to a new world. As one nears Araku, there is a nip in the air
and the temperature decreases by a few degree Centigrade. Soon, one finds one head among the clouds and the greenery of the trees gives
way to snow-white clouds. The mist hangs heavily on the valley and a few isolated showers add chill to the icy winds as they blow across one's
face.

The first glimpse of Araku Valley from the window of one's train has one hooked. It resembles a green emerald nestled in Nature's own palm.
Araku Valley is home to the Paraja tribe who speak in a mixture of Odiya, Telugu and their tribal dialect. They are extremely hospitable and
friendly to strangers. There are no major stations along the way, hence passengers are requested to take fruits with them, as the train has no
pantry services. Tribal women sell bananas, peanuts and star-fruits inside the train, which is in great demand throughout the four hour
journey.

As the train winds its way through the ghats, it throws up pleasant surprises every passing moment. Suddenly a flash of red flowers sweeps
through the skies and thousands of mustard flowers sway in the gentle breeze on the terraced farms. A minute later one finds several
mountain streams and some short waterfalls cascading down the slopes. Every minute of the journey is an adventure, specially for amateur
photographers who want picture postcard photographs.. At several points in one's journey, one casn watch the complete train as it curves in
a 180 degrees arc to enter the tunnel. One can watch the engine from the last compartment during such sharp turns on the way to Araku
Valley.

Trekking at Araku Valley is not only pleasurable but the steep inclines and long distances make it a exercise which burns calories and exercises
all four limbs. However, the cool environs of the hills ensures no perspiration and one is refreshed after the walk. Araku Valley is not a
commercial hill station but a valley nestled in the eastern ghats which time forgot. Araku valley retains an old world charm and the tribals are
full of wide happy smiles and go about their daily life with amazing simplicity, grace and honesty.

How to get there:

The nearest international airport to reach Araku is at Hyderabad. There are several options for Indian tourists to get to Visakhapatnam from
Hyderabad.

By bus: The easiest way to get to Visakhapatnam from Hyderabad is by flight. Visakhapatnam is also connected to Chennai, Bhubaneshwar,
Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi by direct flights. The other option to get from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam is by bus. This 598 km. trip takes
12 hours.
By train: The other way to get to Visakhapatnam from Hyderabad is by train. Train number 18310, Nagavalli Express leaves Secunderabad
station at 10 p.m. and arrives at Visakhapatnam station at 10 a.m. and is an ideal overnight journey. All trains connecting Chennai with
Kolkata and viceversa, pass through Visakhapatnam.

Where to eat?
Few small restaurants serving pure vegetarian Andhra cuisine dot Vishakhapatnam. Freshly steamed spinach with dal, served with Nellore rice
boiled in an earthern pot, is a local dish which melts in the mouth. Boiled pumpkin with ginger and gongura leaves is served with boiled white
rice at the pure vegetarian Andhra Mess located in Daba Gardens. Vegans should avoid the Andhra Thali, chillies and pickles (as they are
acidic), but order only gongura dal, boiled rice and traditional spice powder (as they are alkaline). The food at the high profile restaurants is
only for the gastronomically adventurous who like greasy food floating in oil. Fresh fruits including custard-apples, tender-coconuts, bananas
and jack-fruits are available at the local market. The best custard-apples in Asia are sold by the Banjara women who grow custard apples on
the rocky hillocks that surround Hyderabad. Custard-apples are grown all over Andhra Pradesh.

How to get to Araku Valley:

By train: The easiest way to get to Borra Caves from Visakhapatnam is by train. Take the Visakhapatnam-Kirandul passenger which leaves
Visakhapatnam station at 6:50 a.m.and arrives at Borra Caves station at 10 a.m. and offers a picturesque journey through the eastern ghats.
The train passes through 37 tunnels enroute.

Where to stay:

The Araku Valley Police Guest House is an ideal place to stay for Government Officers. For budget travellers homestays with locals is an option
alongwith Railway Retiring Rooms. High end travellers and travel columnists can opt to stay at any Holiday Resort whose charges are
equivalent to holiday resorts at Darjeeling, Oooty and Kodaikanal. At Visakhapatnam, the newly opened Novotel Varun Beach is located on R.
K. Beach offers ocean facing rooms for high end customers who prefer luxury.

Precautions while entering the caves:

* Do not litter or deface any cave.

* Do not touch or damage cave formations.
* Remember that the jagged edges of the caves are razor sharp. Do not touch them.
* Do not carry any bags or luggage into the cave.
* Always watch your step
* Take a source of light.
* Carry extra sets of alkaline batteries for camera, torch and flash

Araku Valley is managed by smiling attendants from tribal communities in the neighbourhood and it makes good sense to tip them, as they
are temporary employees who keep the premises clean and eco-friendly. They are extremely friendly and a small tip can put a big smile on
their faces. A visit to Araku Valley is a pleasant experience and meditating on the forest floor is a recharging experience. Once in a lifetime, do
go to a place you have never gone before. Do meet people who speak strange tongues in an alien land. Do meet people who have never met
before. Such travels create new neural connections in your brain as you are experiencing something you have never done before.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Murli Menon, is a travel writer, stress management consultant and author based at
Ahmedabad, India. He is the author of "ZeNLP-Learning through stories" published by The
Written Word Publications, "ZeNLP-the power to succeed" published by Sage publications and
“ZeNLP-the power to relax” by New Dawn Press. He can be reached at ceo@tips4ceos.com

_____________________________________________________________________________

Courier payments/published magazine author copies to:

Murli Menon

E/503, Borsali Apt;

Khanpur

Ahmedabad-380001

Phone:079-25600269

________________________________________________________________________High
resolution digital photographs attached with caption.

The following article and photographs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of
this article or the accompanying photographs may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by
any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information
storage or retrieval system without written permission from the author by emailing us at
ceo@tips4ceos.com

_____________________________________________ ___________________________

Courier payments/published magazine author copies to:

Murli Menon

E/503, Borsali Apt;

Khanpur

Ahmedabad-380001

Phone:079-25600269

_____________________________________________ ___________________________

High resolution digital photographs attached with caption.

_____________________________________________ ___________________________
One of the illuminated caves
A natural sculpture of a pony inside Bora caves
View from the top of Bora caves
The plethora of colours inside Bora caves