Undavalli Caves
About Undavalli Caves
Far From City: 7 kms from city center
Cost:
About Undavalli Caves
Weather:
Time Required:1-2 hrs
Open Time:9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Cost:No entry fee
History of Undavalli Caves
These four-storey caves are said to be found in the 7th century. They are associated with the Vishnukundin Kings of AD 420- AD 620. These exotic caves of Undavalli were dedicated to the Anantapadmanabha and Narisimhaswami. As per the historical evidence, Madhava Reddy, who ruled this region as the subordinate under the Reddies of Kondaveedu, gifted the caves to the temple of Anantha Swamy. It is also believed that these caves were used by the Buddhist monks as the rest houses. Undavalli Caves show that many Buddhist stupas were converted into Hindu temples. It was initially a Jain cave with an architecture of Udayagiri and Khandgiri. The first floor still retains the Jain style.
Architecture of Undavalli Caves
The caves of Undavalli provides the finest example of the rock-cut architecture of the Buddhists in India. The caves are 29 metres long and 16 metres wide. Each floor has different heights. The first floor is a low-pillared hall with eight pillars and seven door openings. The first storey has shrines dedicated Trimurti- Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, each with a pillared hall in the front.
Walls on the first floor are adorned with frescoes depicting scenes from mythological stories. The second storey has a rectangular pillared hall with a shrine of Lord Vishnu. This statue is a major attraction as it is made out of the single granite block. On the walls, sculptures from the Chalukyan period and of Vaishnava deities can be seen. The most striking feature of the Undavalli cave is the 5 meters long statue of the Lord Buddha in the reclining position.
Undavalli Caves Timings and Entry Fee
There is no entry fee, and the attraction remains open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all weekdays.
Best time to visit Undavalli Caves
The ideal time to visit Undavalli Caves is during winters as the temperature is cool and pleasant. October to February is the best time to explore the place when the mercury lingers around 30 degrees Celsius. Summers are unbearably hot in Vijayawada. The temperature soars up to 40 degrees which gets too uncomfortable. During monsoons, torrential rainfall can interrupt your outdoor plans. Therefore, it is better to avoid this season.
How to Reach Undavalli Caves
Undavalli Caves is on the Penumaka-Vijayawada road, near Prakasam Barrage, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. It is well-connected via road network with all the major cities of the state as well as the neighbouring states. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and some private travel services connect Undavalli cave with all other foremost cities of the state as well as the neighbouring states. Once you reach Vijayawada, taxis, autorickshaws or the local buses are the best options to reach the attraction.
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