Undavalli Caves

high-definition creative commons photographs from the Undavalli Caves in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh together with further information.

 

There seems to be a lot of dispute about the origin of the Undavalli (Uṇḍavalli) caves, with Buddhists, Jainas and Hindus all laying claims. It seems to me the most likely answer is that all three groups occupied and further developed the caves in stages, almost certainly beginning with the Buddhists, as rock-cut caves are a feature of Buddhist architecture.

At some point, probably after Buddhism had declined, they have definitely been taken over by Hindus and are now dedicated to Lord Ananta Padmanābha and Lord Narasiṁhaswāmi. The main statue in the place is also in dispute between Hindus who believe it to be Ananta Padmanābha, and Jainas who favour the Tirthaṅkara Pārśvanātha.

The four-storey structure is carved out of the sandstone hill and reflects Gupta architectural styles. There are many relief-type sculptures, especially on the second floor, depicting various gods and other figures, not all of which I could identify. There are maṇḍapas on the first and second floors, and the top floor has a good view out over the surrounding countryside and the Krishna River.

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

001 View from the Road

01 View from the Road

002 View from Stairway

02 View from Stairway

003 First Floor

03 First Floor

004 First Floor

04 First Floor

005 Second Floor Temple

05 Second Floor Temple

006 Elephant Guardian

06 Elephant Guardian

007 Second Floor Maṇḍapa

07 Second Floor Maṇḍapa

008 Gaṇeśa

08 Gaṇeśa

009 Hanumān

09 Hanumān

010 Unknown God

10 Unknown God

011 Unknown God

11 Unknown God

012 Unknown God

12 Unknown God

013 Unknown God

13 Unknown God

014 Unknown God

14 Unknown God

015 Unknown God

15 Unknown God

016 Guardian Figure

16 Guardian Figure

017 Guardian Figure

17 Guardian Figure

018 Pillar Carving

18 Pillar Carving

019 Lotus Decoration

19 Lotus Decoration

020 Lotus Decoration

20 Lotus Decoration

021 Rows of Gods

21 Rows of Gods

022 Nārāyaṇa

22 Nārāyaṇa

023 Ananta Padmanābha

23 Ananta Padmanābha

024 Protected by Nāga Śeṣa

24 Protected by Nāga Śeṣa

025 Raised Hand

25 Raised Hand

026 Gods on Side Wall

26 Gods on Side Wall

027 Guardians at the Feet

27 Guardians at the Feet

028 Ṛṣi

28 Ṛṣi

029 Top Floor

29 Top Floor

030 View From Top Floor

30 View From Top Floor

 

Photographs by Anandajoti Bhikkhu

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