5 Caves to Explore in Andhra Pradesh

Belum Caves are the largest and longest cave system in India still open for the tourists. The second largest caves in India after the Krem Liat Prah in Meghalaya and famous for their unique formations such as stalactite and stalagmite formations, the caves were formed over a period of millions of years with the consequent formation of limestone.

The Borra Caves are situated in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley in Vishakapatnam district. British geologist William King discovered this million years old cave in the year 1807 and it has been a tourist favorite ever since. Breathtaking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the Borra Caves are a visual feast.

The rock-cut part of the site has two Buddhist caves, a chaitya hall and a large group of stupas. The chaitya hall has a rare carved stone entrance replicating wooden architecture, a simpler version of that at the Lomas Rishi Cave. There are remains of structural buildings in brick and stone, including remains of two vihara made of brick, as well as excavated caves at two levels, including an unusual structural chaitya hall.

The Mogalarajapuram Caves in Vijayawada is one of the prime attractions of Vijayawada. The Mogalarajapuram Caves is popular for the three cave temples in the caves. The cave temples date back to the 5th century. Most of the temples are worn out and what only traces of an unnatural architectural beauty remains.

A monolithic example of Indian rock-cut architecture, the Undavalli Caves are located in the city of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Carved out of a solid sandstone on a hillside, these caves date back to the 4th to 5th centuries and is a paradise for history lovers. One of the preserved monuments of national importance, this attraction was originally the Jain caves and was later converted into a Hindu temple.