Undavalli caves

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Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple
Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple

The Undavalli Caves, and example of Indian rock-cut architecture are located in the village of Undavalli in Guntur District, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The caves are 6km south west of Vijayawada, 22km north west of Guntur City and about 280 km from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

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[edit] Description

Pillars on third floor
Pillars on third floor

These caves have been carved out of solid rock on a hillside in the 4th to 5th centuries A.D.[1] They have four stories with a huge statue of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture sculpted from a single block of granite inside. Other shrines are dedicated to Trimurti and to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.[2] They are among the earlierst example of Gupta architecture, primarily primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved into the sandstone hills.[3]

The walls of the caves display sculptures carved by skilled local craftsmen. The structure of these caves resemble the Buddhist viharas in their architectural and sculptural proficiency, and can be seen as signs of a past Buddhist culture. The caves are surrounded by the green countryside.[4]

The caves are associated with the Vishnukundina kings of 420 to 620 A.D. They are dedicated to Anantapadmanabha Swamy and Narisimha Swamy.[5] From the high hill above the cave overlooking the Krishna river many fine specimens of rock cut Hindu architecture can be seen.

[edit] See also

Entrance to 3rd floor of Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple
Entrance to 3rd floor of Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Undavalli Caves, Undavalli. Retrieved on [[2006-08-19
    Vishnu in reclining position
    Vishnu in reclining position
    ]].
  2. ^ Undavalli Caves. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
  3. ^ Thapar, Binda (2004). Introduction to Indian Architecture. Singapore: Periplus Editions, p 10. ISBN 0794600115. 
  4. ^ The golden Goddess of Vijayawada.... The Hindu. Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
  5. ^ Susarla, Ramesh. Steeped in history. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
Narada and Thumbura seated on the third floor
Narada and Thumbura seated on the third floor

[edit] External links

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