India is home to numerous mysterious caves, and most of them are still less-explored. Most of these caves depict the finest examples of various types of architecture, while others provide evidence of fascinating Hindu, Buddhist, Jain life and teachings. Exploring these caves will offer you a better understanding about India’s heritage.
This post covers one of such cave temple of india, called Undavlli caves near Vijayawada, andhra pradesh.
These caves are the exceptional testimonials to ancient ‘vishwakarma sthapathis’, located around 6 km away from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. If records are to go by, these caves were carved out of a solid sandstone on a hillside during the 4th and 5th centuries CE . These four-storey caves are said to be found in the 7th century.
This cave temple share its history from budhhist, jain and Hindu religions.
According to ASI its Originally a Jain cave, they resemble the architecture of Udayagiri and Khandgiri. Also, the main cave is one of the earliest examples of the Gupta architecture.
These caves are carved in Gupta style of rock-cut Architecture which goes back to 4th-5th century CE.
Several inscriptions found in this cave temple explaining its glory during ancient times.
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.
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).
Beautiful sculptures of lions and elephants will capture the eyes of the visitors.
Sculptures of Shiva and Vaishnu and a few like the Vaishnava Alwars are sculptured later on.
There are many forms of bhagawan vishnu carved on these pillars and over the walls. Narasimha, Vamana, Narayana are few of them you can see in this video.
The second storey has a pillared rectangular shrine of Vishnu on a serpent aadisesha. This whole anantapadmanabha swamy temple likely representing the story of demons/ asuras madhu and kaitabha. you can see the lord brahma out from the naval of vishnu and other devatas around him.
The top floor was unfinished with a Triple Shrine. Some of the sculptural specimens are attributed to Chalukyan period.
Saptarishis are present at the second floor with a beautifully sculptured lions.
The story of Madhu and Kaitabha was carved on this hall.
Madhu and Kaitabha both originated from the earwax of Vishnu, while he was in the meditative state of yoganidra. From his navel, a lotus sprouted, upon which Brahma, the creator, sat contemplating the creation of the cosmos. Two dewdrops of water upon the lotus were created by Vishnu. One drop was as sweet as honey, and from that drop emerged Madhu.The other drop was hard, and from it was born Kaiṭabha.
According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Madhu and Kaitabha originated from Vishnu’s earwax, and performed a long period of tapas devoted to the goddess Mahadevi, employing the Vāgbīja mantra. The goddess granted them the boon of death befalling them only with their consent, which was granted. The proud asuras then started attacking Brahma, and stole the Vedas, hiding themselves in Patala. Brahma sought Vishnu’s help, and eulogised the deity in order to awaken him. The two asuras then fought against Vishnu, and were undefeated. Upon advice from Mahadevi, Vishnu employed deceit to destroy the two asuras.Vishnu praised the powers of the two asuras, and said that he would be pleased to grant them boons. Laughing, the boastful asuras, proud of their victories against Vishnu, said that they were willing to grant him boons instead. Vishnu cleverly asked Madhu and Kaitabha for the boon of slaying them. Later Lord vishnu slayed them with the sudarshana Chakra.
Please watch the below video for more information.
This is one of the most beautiful temples of lord Padmanabha Swamy in the country. Please share your thoughts in comments.