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The Undavalli Caves, a
monolithic example of Indian rock-cut architecture and one of the finest
testimonials to ancient vishwakarma sthapathis, are located in Undavalli
of Guntur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The caves are
located 6 km south west from Vijayawada, 22 km north east of Guntur City
of Andhra Pradesh.
These caves were carved out of solid sandstone on a hillside in the 4th
to 5th centuries A.D. There are several caves and the best known largest
one has four stories with a huge recreated statue of Vishnu in a
reclining posture, sculpted from a single block of granite inside the
second floor. Undavalli caves are an example of how many Buddhist
artifacts and stupas in Andhra were converted into Hindu temples and
deities.
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It was originally a
Jain cave resembling the architecture of Udayagiri and Khandgiri. The
main cave is one of the earliest examples of Gupta architecture,
primarily primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved into the sandstone
hills. Initially the caves were shaped as a Jain abode and the first
floor abode still retains the Jain style; the vihara exhibits Jain
monastics and includes tirthankara sculptures. This first level of the
cave is a carved vihara and includes Buddhist art work. The site served
as the Bhikkhu monastic complex during ancient period. The walls of the
caves display sculptures carved by skilled craftsmen. The caves are
associated with the Jain kings of 420 to 620 A.D.
The caves are surrounded by the green countryside. From the high hill
above the cave overlooking the Krishna River many fine specimens of rock
cut architecture can be seen.
How to
reach
The caves are located 6 km south west from Vijayawada, nearest
airport is
Vijayawada Airport (IATA: VGA, ICAO: VOBZ), a public domestic
airport situated at a distance of 18 kilometers from Vijayawada.
One can easily reach Undavalli Caves from the city by taking local Buses,
Rickshaws, Tongas and Taxis.
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