Pandavulametta Stūpa and Cave Complex

high-definition creative commons photographs from the Pandavulametta Stūpa and Cave Complex in Andhra together with further information.

The Pandavulametta (Paṇḍavulameṭṭa) site dates from the 3rd century BCE till the 2nd century CE, and consists of rock-cut caves, the remains of stūpas, and a chaitya hall. The site reminds me of Guntupalli, which it is fairly near to, but on a smaller scale.

The site is now thought by local Hindus to have been used by the Paṇḍu brothers of Mahābhārata fame when they were sent into exile following their loss at dice. They believe they spent several years on the hill before going on to Ramesvaram.

The climb to the site is very steep, and I was unable to make it, as we had just climbed up to the Guntupalli site. My driver, Manikanta, very kindly took my camera, climbed up the stairs and took the following photos.

 

use j/k or left/right arrow
to navigate through the photos below

001 The Caves Seen from the Stairway Approach

01 The Caves Seen from the Stairway Approach

002 The Main Group of Caves

02 The Main Group of Caves

003 Caves with Stairway to Stūpas on Right

03 Caves with Stairway to Stūpas on Right

004 Secondary Group of Caves

04 Secondary Group of Caves

005 Caves Cut from the Rocks

05 Caves Cut from the Rocks

006 Caves Seen from the Side

06 Caves Seen from the Side

007 Vihāras for Meditation

07 Vihāras for Meditation

008 Secondary Caves

08 Secondary Caves

009 Looking Back at the Caves

09 Looking Back at the Caves

010 Excavated Caves and Collapsed Brick Wall

10 Excavated Caves and Collapsed Brick Wall

011 Stairway to the Stūpas

11 Stairway to the Stūpas

012 Stūpa Remains

12 Stūpa Remains

013 Stūpas from Other Side

13 Stūpas from Other Side

014 General View of Stūpas

14 General View of Stūpas

015 Raised Platform for the Stūpas

15 Raised Platform for the Stūpas

016 Votive Stūpas

16 Votive Stūpas

017 Congregational Hall

17 Congregational Hall

018 Stūpa Remains

18 Stūpa Remains

019 Votive Stūpa

19 Votive Stūpa

020 Chaitya on Right

20 Chaitya on Right

021 Vihāras Around Courtyard

21 Vihāras Around Courtyard

022 Chatiya Hall

22 Chatiya Hall

023 Vihāras

23 Vihāras

024 Circular Hall

24 Circular Hall

 

Photographs by Manikanta

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