Araku Valley(Eastern Ghats).

Hi ,


I have just visited another valley in eastern ghats called Araku Valley in Ananthgiri hills. But here we could not ignore the massiveness of Eastern Ghat as compared to Himalaya.

To reach Araku Valley one need to get down at Vishakhapatnam. I have started my journey from Hyderabad on 15th Dec 2012 which 700 km away.

Vishakhaptnam is well connected by Buses, Trains and Air from Hyderabad. A.P.T.D.C. is providing rail cum bus tour package for Araku Valley and Borra Caves which is costing around Rs. 700/- which includes your fares, BF, Lunch Team and the entry tickets.


I have reached Vishakhapatan early in the morning and reported at A.P.T.D.C. counter at railway station. The only one passenger train is running on this route from Vishakhapatam. I have boarded the train at 6:50 am and reached at Araku valley around 11:00 am. The journey from Vishakhapatnam was mesmerizing, train has to cross 52 tunnels to reach Araku. Here we can see the beautiful sites. This travel has taught me if you destined to reach your destination then paths will find your and will force you to travel to me destiny.


One you reach Araku Valley A.P.C.D.C. buses will dropped you at various places.

First place one of them is Padmapuram garden hubs into 26 acres and established in 1942. We can spent silence time in this garden.

Next place where we got drop is Tribal museum. The way in which A.P.T.D.C. has integrated Tribal Development initiative into tourism is really appreciable. The Museum provide a quick glance of Tribal Folk life. Here they have installed the counters for selling the handicraft exclusively made by the tribal folks.

Next destination was at A.P.T.D.C. resort for Dimsa Folk Dance by Jimdara tribe. Women in there traditional costumes dance to prey their village goddess. Here they are exhibiting team spirit with their extraordinary synchronizations during the dance.One has to follow team leader for rest of the dance. Araku is the most fecund land in Eastern Ghat, I wondered as drove by in the train and bus during the visit.

 Araku Valley surrounded by Ananthgiri hills guarded by Nilgiri trees. Araku valley very famous fro Coffee plantation. Approx 9000 hectors were planted with coffee plants. Which is forming another economic activity along with tourism.

To reach Borra caves we have to travel another 40 km from valley. Borra caves were bought to notice by William King George of Geographical Servery of India in 1807. Caves are the famous from variety of Spelothems. Once of the wonderful creation by nature has irregular Stalactites and Stalagmites. Stalactites are the pointed pendant structure hanging from cave ceiling. Stalagmites ground structure counterparts of stalagmites.

Few mythologies were discussed among the tribes about the caves,

cow had felt in the caves and survive by the lingam like structure and people worshiped that structure in honor of Lord Shiva, River Gosthani originate from the caves flow towards Vishakhapatnam and merges into Bay of Bengal Sea. Araku Valley and Borra Caves serve another exciting destination for travelers. The best season to visit valley is from October to January. 

For me year 2012 were great fist where I have visited Valley of Flowers in Himalayas and Araku Valley in Eastern Ghats.

Regards
Amol Nakve.