Situated on a hill, Undavalli caves are believed to be built between the 4th and 5th centuries by the Gupta dynasty.
Undavalli caves were built between the 4th and 5th centuries by the Gupta dynasty. (Wikipedia)
The diverse culture and age-old wonders of India continue to amaze historians and tourists alike. Tucked inside the beautiful landscapes of the subcontinent are some of the historic caves and structures, often visited by history buffs across the world. Most of them are inspiring architectural marvels and house some remarkable religious sculptures. Some of these caves date back to the prehistoric times giving visitors a peek into the cultural facets and art of ancient India.
One such spot is the Undavalli caves. Situated in the Undavalli village of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, the ancient structure is a monolithic example of Indian rock-cut architecture.
Located on a hill overlooking the Krishna River, the ancient caves were built between the 4th and 5th centuries by the Gupta dynasty.
Moreover, the caves have been carved out of solid sandstone. The best known and largest one of them has four stories. One of the prominent attractions here is a huge statue of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture. Situated on the second floor, the figure was sculpted from a single block of granite.
A preserved monument of national importance, this attraction was originally a Jain cave, which later transformed into a Buddhist monastery. The inscriptions found in the caves reveal that they were carved sometime between 420 and 620 CE.
It’s believed that most of the Gupta emperors were Vaishnavas and associated with the Vishnukundina kings of 420-620 CE. As a result, there are a lot of sculptures here depicting Narasimha, Vishnu, and Ramayana stories.
The main cave, one of the earliest examples of Gupta architecture, consists of primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved into sandstone hills. Historical evidence suggests that Madhava Reddy, who ruled this region as a subordinate of the Kondaveedu Reddies, gifted the caves to the temple of Anantha Swamy.
Anantha Padmanabha in a reclining posture sculpted, a monolithic example of Indian rock-cut architecture located in Undavalli caves which is believed to date back 4th-7th century CE pic.twitter.com/gEB4dq6Xpi
— Desi Thug (@desi_thug1) September 27, 2020
The first-floor still retains the Jain architecture style. The vihara exhibits Jain monastics and includes Tirthankara sculptures. The second-floor still retains the style of Buddhist vihara, and comprises some Buddhist sculptures. The site served as the Bhikkhu monastic complex during the ancient times, and it is believed that these caves were used by the Buddhist monks as rest houses. The facade of the third floor is adorned with numerous sculptures, including depictions of lions and elephants on the walls.
Undavalli Caves aren’t associated with any specific religion. People of different faiths have lived and so has served as a spiritual center for three religions at different times. Here, visitors can see remnants of all three cultures under one roof.
Undavalli Caves, Guntur, AP
Located at Undavalli of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, Undavalli caves is a monolithic example of Indian rock cut architecture and is also known to be one of the finest examples of ancient Vishwakarma sthapathis (architects).
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— The History Wave (@history_wave) December 7, 2020
The most ideal time to visit Undavalli caves is during the winter months from October to February, as the temperature is most pleasant at the time. While monsoons are fine, torrential downpours can interrupt your outdoor plans. Summers aren’t recommended as it can get really hot and humid, according to travellers.
By air: The nearest airport is the Vijayawada International Airport which is 40km away. This airport has regular direct as well as connecting flights from all the major metro cities of India. From the airport, one must take a bus or a cab to get to the caves.
By rail: While there are no direct trains available to reach this archaeological site, one can get to Vijayawada Railway Station, which is the nearest railway station. From there, the Undavalli caves are just over 7 km away.
By road: Undavalli Caves is about 10 km from Vijayawada and 34 km from the town of Guntur. There are many state-owned as well as private buses, and taxis available to reach this picturesque place. The option of renting a vehicle is also available from Vijayawada or Guntur.
Pedakakani: Visit this village famous for the Kakani Malleswara Swamy Temple, which was constructed during the rule of the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya.
Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary: Painted storks, spot-billed pelicans and other birds that migrate from various countries such as Siberia and Australia come for nesting.
Amaravati Mahachaitya: This is one of the most prominent sites of Buddhist pilgrimage in South India.
Mangalagiri: This is a town that is synonymous with the sari of the same name that is made here.
Undavalli Caves is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
‘Southern Splendors’ is a heritage travel series that serves as your go-to guide for discovering the vibrant religious, historical, and cultural landmarks that dot the scenic landscapes of South India.
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