Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Undavalli Caves

Undavalli Caves, located 6 km south-west from Vijayawada, are the caves cut-out in the sandstone hill in the 4th to 5th centuries A.D.  Of all the caves, the largest one comprises of four stories and is enshrined with a huge statue of Lord Vishnu. The statue of Lord Vishnu is sculpted in a reclining posture from a single block of granite.
Besides, the other caves located at the site are dedicated to Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. One of the main caves depicts the Gupta architecture, as these caves initially were shaped as a Buddhist monastery. These Buddhist monasteries were designed in the style of Buddhist vihara on the first floor.
Dedicated to Anantapadmanabha Swamy and Narisimha Swamy, these caves are also associated with the Vishnukundina Kings of 420 to 620 A.D. These caves overlook the Krishna River and several specimens of rock cut Hindu architecture from above the hill.
 
                                                             

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