Undavalli Caves - Revision history

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History: clean up

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	== History ==		== History ==
	These caves are carved in Gupta style of rock-cut Architecture which goes back to 4th-5th century CE. Most of emperor of Gupta's were Vaishnavas so we can see many sculpture of Narasimha, Vishnu and Ramayans stories. <ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/undavalli-caves-near-vijayawada-002648.html\|title=Gupta Era Caves/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> They are associated with the [[Vishnukundina dynasty\|Vishnukundina]] kings of 420-620 CE. These caves are dedicated to Anantha Padmanabha and Narashimha. Later Jain and Buddhist monks used these as rest houses.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.andhrawishesh.com/travel/609-spiritual-travels/59222-vijayawada-the-place-of-victory.html\|title=Vijayawada-The place of Victory/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>		These caves are carved in Gupta style of rock-cut Architecture which goes back to 4th-5th century CE. Most of emperor of Gupta's were Vaishnavas so we can see many sculpture of Narasimha, Vishnu and Ramayans stories.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/undavalli-caves-near-vijayawada-002648.html\|title=Gupta Era Caves/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> They are associated with the [[Vishnukundina dynasty\|Vishnukundina]] kings of 420-620 CE. These caves are dedicated to Anantha Padmanabha and Narashimha. Later Jain and Buddhist monks used these as rest houses.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.andhrawishesh.com/travel/609-spiritual-travels/59222-vijayawada-the-place-of-victory.html\|title=Vijayawada-The place of Victory/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

	== Chronology==		== Chronology==

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	{{Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh}}		{{Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh}}
			{{Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh}}
	{{Indian Buddhist Caves}}		{{Indian Buddhist Caves}}
	{{Jain Caves in India}}		{{Jain Caves in India}}

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	The '''Undavalli Caves''', a [[Monolithic architecture\|monolithic]] example of [[Indian rock-cut architecture]] and one of the finest testimonials to ancient ''viswakarma sthapathis'', are located in [[Undavalli]] of [[Krishna District\|Guntur district]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The caves are located 6 km south west from [[Vijayawada]], 22 km north east of [[Guntur City]] of [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh\|Andhra Pradesh]]. It is one of the centrally protected [[Monuments of National Importance\|monuments of national importance]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Centrally Protected Monuments\|url=http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html\|website=Archeological Survey of India\|access-date=27 May 2017\|language=en\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626104454/http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html\|archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref>		The '''Undavalli Caves''', a [[Monolithic architecture\|monolithic]] example of [[Indian rock-cut architecture]] and one of the finest testimonials to ancient {{transl\|hi\|viswakarma sthapathis}}, are located in [[Undavalli]] of [[Krishna District\|Guntur district]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The caves are located 6 km south west from [[Vijayawada]], 22 km north east of [[Guntur City]] of [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh\|Andhra Pradesh]]. It is one of the centrally protected [[Monuments of National Importance\|monuments of national importance]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Centrally Protected Monuments\|url=http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html\|website=Archeological Survey of India\|access-date=27 May 2017\|language=en\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626104454/http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html\|archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==
	These caves are ~~said to be from 7th century. But one can see~~ Gupta style of rock-cut Architecture which goes back to 4th-5th century CE. Most of emperor of Gupta's were Vaishnavas so we can see many sculpture of Narasimha, Vishnu and Ramayans stories. <ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/undavalli-caves-near-vijayawada-002648.html\|title=Gupta Era Caves/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> They are associated with the [[Vishnukundina dynasty\|Vishnukundina]] kings of 420-620 CE. These caves are dedicated to Anantha Padmanabha and Narashimha. Later Jain and Buddhist monks used these as rest houses.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.andhrawishesh.com/travel/609-spiritual-travels/59222-vijayawada-the-place-of-victory.html\|title=Vijayawada-The place of Victory/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>		These caves are carved in Gupta style of rock-cut Architecture which goes back to 4th-5th century CE. Most of emperor of Gupta's were Vaishnavas so we can see many sculpture of Narasimha, Vishnu and Ramayans stories. <ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/undavalli-caves-near-vijayawada-002648.html\|title=Gupta Era Caves/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> They are associated with the [[Vishnukundina dynasty\|Vishnukundina]] kings of 420-620 CE. These caves are dedicated to Anantha Padmanabha and Narashimha. Later Jain and Buddhist monks used these as rest houses.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.andhrawishesh.com/travel/609-spiritual-travels/59222-vijayawada-the-place-of-victory.html\|title=Vijayawada-The place of Victory/Undavalli Caves\|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

	== Chronology==		== Chronology==
	These caves were carved out of solid [[sandstone]] on a hillside in the 4th to 5th centuries CE.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.andhratourism.com/Caves_Andhra.htm\|title=Undavalli Caves\|publisher=andhratourism.com\|access-date=2006-08-19}}</ref> There are several caves and the best known largest one has four stories with a huge recreated statue of [[Vishnu]] in a reclining posture, sculpted from a single block of [[granite]] inside the second floor~~. Many Buddhist artifacts and stupas in Andhra were converted into Hindu temples and deities and ''Undavalli'' is an example~~. It was originally a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] cave resembling the architecture of Udayagiri and Khandagiri. It is estimated that these caves were sculpted sometime in 4-5th century CE during the reign of Vishnukundina kings<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.inditales.com/undavalli-caves-guntur-andhra-pradesh/		These caves were carved out of solid [[sandstone]] on a hillside in the 4th to 5th centuries CE.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.andhratourism.com/Caves_Andhra.htm\|title=Undavalli Caves\|publisher=andhratourism.com\|access-date=2006-08-19}}</ref> There are several caves and the best known largest one has four stories with a huge recreated statue of [[Vishnu]] in a reclining posture, sculpted from a single block of [[granite]] inside the second floor. It was originally a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] cave resembling the architecture of Udayagiri and Khandagiri. It is estimated that these caves were sculpted sometime in 4-5th century CE during the reign of Vishnukundina kings<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.inditales.com/undavalli-caves-guntur-andhra-pradesh/
	\|title=Undavalli Caves		\|title=Undavalli Caves
	\|publisher=indiatales.com		\|publisher=indiatales.com

imported>Johnbod: better

2021-09-02T03:38:28Z

better

New page

{{Short description|Rock-cut cave temples in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox cave
| name = Undavalli Caves
| photo = Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple.jpg
| photo_caption = The largest of the Undavalli Caves
| location = [[Tadepalle, Guntur|Tadepalle]] Mandal in [[Guntur District]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| depth =
| length =
| map = India#India Andhra Pradesh
|relief=yes
| map_width =
| map_caption =
| coords =
| survey =
| survey_format =
| discovery = 420 - 620 AD
| geology =
| entrance_count =
| entrance_list =
| difficulty =
| hazards =
| access =
| translation =
| language = Telugu
| pronunciation =
}}

The '''Undavalli Caves''', a [[Monolithic architecture|monolithic]] example of [[Indian rock-cut architecture]] and one of the finest testimonials to ancient ''viswakarma sthapathis'', are located in [[Undavalli]] of [[Krishna District|Guntur district]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The caves are located 6 km south west from [[Vijayawada]], 22 km north east of [[Guntur City]] of [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]]. It is one of the centrally protected [[Monuments of National Importance|monuments of national importance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Centrally Protected Monuments|url=http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html|website=Archeological Survey of India|access-date=27 May 2017|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626104454/http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html|archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref>

== History ==
These caves are said to be from 7th century. But one can see Gupta style of rock-cut Architecture which goes back to 4th-5th century CE. Most of emperor of Gupta's were Vaishnavas so we can see many sculpture of Narasimha, Vishnu and Ramayans stories. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/undavalli-caves-near-vijayawada-002648.html|title=Gupta Era Caves/Undavalli Caves|access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> They are associated with the [[Vishnukundina dynasty|Vishnukundina]] kings of 420-620 CE. These caves are dedicated to Anantha Padmanabha and Narashimha. Later Jain and Buddhist monks used these as rest houses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andhrawishesh.com/travel/609-spiritual-travels/59222-vijayawada-the-place-of-victory.html|title=Vijayawada-The place of Victory/Undavalli Caves|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

== Chronology==
These caves were carved out of solid [[sandstone]] on a hillside in the 4th to 5th centuries CE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andhratourism.com/Caves_Andhra.htm|title=Undavalli Caves|publisher=andhratourism.com|access-date=2006-08-19}}</ref> There are several caves and the best known largest one has four stories with a huge recreated statue of [[Vishnu]] in a reclining posture, sculpted from a single block of [[granite]] inside the second floor. Many Buddhist artifacts and stupas in Andhra were converted into Hindu temples and deities and ''Undavalli'' is an example. It was originally a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] cave resembling the architecture of Udayagiri and Khandagiri. It is estimated that these caves were sculpted sometime in 4-5th century CE during the reign of Vishnukundina kings<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inditales.com/undavalli-caves-guntur-andhra-pradesh/
|title=Undavalli Caves
|publisher=indiatales.com
|access-date=2006-08-19
}}</ref> The main cave is one of the earliest examples of [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] architecture, primarily primitive rock-cut [[monastery]] cells carved into the sandstone hills.<ref>{{cite book
| first= Binda
| last= Thapar
| year= 2004
| title= Introduction to Indian Architecture
| publisher= Periplus Editions
| location=Singapore
| isbn= 0-7946-0011-5
| page= 10}}</ref> Initially, the caves were shaped as a Jain abode and the first-floor abode still retains the Jain style; the [[vihara]] exhibits [[Jain monasticism|Jain monastic]]s and includes [[tirthankara]] sculptures. This first level of the cave is a carved [[vihara]] and includes [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] artwork.<ref name="An Official">{{cite web|last=An Official Website Of Guntur District Government Of Andhra Pradesh|title=Undavalli Caves|url=http://guntur.nic.in/undavalli_caves.html|publisher=Guntur District Government Of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref> The site served as the [[Bhikkhu]] monastic complex during ancient period.<ref name="Department">{{cite web|last=Tourism Department|title=Undavalli Caves|url=http://www.aptourism.in/index.php/k2-separator/k2/item/76-undavallicaves#.UphFOdIW2So|publisher=Tourism Department, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India|access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref> The walls of the caves display sculptures carved by skilled craftsmen.

The caves are surrounded by green countryside. From the high hill above the cave overlooking the [[Krishna River]] many fine specimens of rock-cut architecture can be seen.

== Architecture ==
It is an Impressive Four storey rock cut temple with East facing facade of 29m long, 16m wide. There are variation in depth of each floor. The ground floor is an unfinished low pillared hall with 8 pillars and 7 door openings on façade. The first storey accommodates triple shrine at back, each with the pillared hall in front, originally dedicated to the Trinity (Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_ap_rockcut.asp|title=ASI-Rock cut Cave Temple – Undavalli|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

Sculptures on the walls represent Vaishnava deities. The second storey has a pillared rectangular shrine of Vishnu on a serpent. Sculptures of Shiva and Vaishnava and a few like the Vaishnava Alwars are sculptured later on. The top floor was unfinished with a Triple Shrine. Some of the sculptural specimens are attributed to Chalukyan period. It has 5 meter long statue of Vishnu in reclining position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andhrawishesh.com/travel/609-spiritual-travels/59222-vijayawada-the-place-of-victory.html|title=Vijayawada-The Place of Victory|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Padmanabaswami inside Undavalli Caves.jpg|Rock cut Hindu god in Caves.
File:Section of Undavalli Caves.png|Section of Undavalli Caves.
File:Undavalli Caves at Mangalagiri 02.jpg|[[Ganesha]] in the Undavalli Caves.
File:Undavalli caves munis.jpg|Sculptures of monks at Undavalli Caves.
</gallery>

== Transport ==
The only means of connectivity for the caves is by road. [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation|APSRTC]] operates bus services from [[Vijayawada]], [[Guntur]] and [[Amaravathi (village), Guntur district|Amaravathi]] to this location.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apsrtc.gov.in/T_Guntur.aspx|title=Tourist Services in Guntur Region|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> [[Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority|APCRDA]] runs Tourist Bus-cum-Boat services through [[Krishna River]] from [[Prakasam Barrage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/first-tourist-bus-cum-boat-to-be-functional-in-a-week/article17899536.ece|title=First tourist bus-cum-boat to be functional in a week|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>



==External links==
{{commons category|Undavalli Caves}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140309201146/http://templeindia.info/undavalli-caves/ Undavalli Caves]
* [http://www.andhratourism.com/Caves_Andhra.htm Caves in Andhra Padesh]

{{Coord|16.49687|80.58178|type:landmark_region:IN-AP|display=title}}
{{Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Indian Buddhist Caves}}
{{Jain Caves in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Undavalli Caves}}
[[Category:Caves of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buddhist caves in India]]
[[Category:Buddhist monasteries in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Jain rock-cut architecture]]
[[Category:Geography of Guntur district]]
[[Category:Monuments of national importance in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Jain caves in India]]