Undavalli Ananda Padmanabha Swamy Cave Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Undavalli Ananda Padmanabha Swamy Cave Temple, Undavalli, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh – 522501.

Diety

Ananda Padmanabha Swami

Introduction

Undavalli Caves are ancient four- rock-cut caves dating back to the 4th and 5th century AD located in Undavalli village of Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh, India. These caves are located just 10 km south-west of Vijayawada, near Prakasam Barrage, which connects Krishna and Guntur districts. These caves are located on the banks of Krishna River. It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance. These protected cave monuments are associated with Vishnukundina kings and were once used by the Buddhist monks as their resting places. On this same rock are the sculptures of Trimurti Gods – Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

Puranic Significance

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. They are associated with the 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 It is an Impressive Four storey rock cut temple with East facing facade of 29m long, 16m wide. There is 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). 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