Undavalli caves
Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Undavalli caves are rock-cut cave temples near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, on the south bank of the Krishna river. They are dated to about c. 4th–7th century CE. The main cave is cut from a sandstone hill and rises in four storeys, which is rare for a cave. It may have begun as a monks' retreat and later became a Hindu temple. It is an example of large rock-cut work in the eastern Deccan.
Example
One floor holds a huge image of Vishnu reclining on the serpent, carved from a single block of the hill. It is the best-known sculpture at Undavalli (c. 4th–7th century CE).
Don't confuse with
- Udayagiri (Odisha) has Jain caves of King Kharavela. Udayagiri (Madhya Pradesh) has Gupta caves with Vishnu images. The similar name "Undavalli" refers to a different site in Andhra Pradesh.
Related concepts
- Rock-cut architecture
- Barabar caves
- Lomas Rishi cave
- Nagarjuni caves
- Rock-cut monasteries
- Chaitya and vihara
- Bhaja caves
- Karla caves
- Kanheri caves
- Nasik caves