Undavalli Caves, Vijayawada

About Undavalli Caves

Undavalli Caves are the main attraction of 4th-5th century. The caves are about 8 kms from Vijayawada and offer a unique perspective into ancient religious practices. These caves are dedicated to Ananta Padmanabha and Narasimha. These caves are carved in the Gupta style of rock-cut architecture, and have three distinct levels, the lower level resembling a Jain abode and several Tirthankara sculptures. The second level is believed to be the home of Lord Vishnu and the third level is the terrace which offers a panoramic view of the hills, lots of greenery and the Krishna River.

Architecture of Undavalli Caves

The monolith cave carved out of sandstone is an impressive testimony to Indian rock-cut architecture. The walls of the caves are adorned with sculptures of lions and elephants. The walls of the first floor are adorned with frescoes depicting scenes from mythology. The second floor has a rectangular pillared hall which houses the temple of Lord Vishnu.

Interesting facts about Undavalli Caves

1. It is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts and tourists
2. There are several caves here and the largest of the most famous is four stories, with a huge reconstructed statue of Vishnu sculpted from a single block of granite inside the second floor.
3. Undavalli Caves do not belong to any particular religion. It has been captured and developed by people of different religions. Therefore, it has served as a spiritual center for the three religions at different time intervals.
4. The largest cave is a four-storey cave with a length of 29 meters and a width of 16 meters. This is the best of the caves here. It houses an idol of Lord Vishnu, in a recumbent posture, made of a single block of granite.

How to reach Undavalli Caves