Guntur : Undavalli Caves are finest examples of ancient Indian Architecture also known as Vishwakaram Sthapathyashastra. The four storeyed caves carved out of a sandstone cliff are located in Undavalli Village in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh only 6 Kms from the city of Vijayawada and 22 Kms from Guntur.
There are many fine examples of ancient architecture and sculptures in the hills that surround Vijayawada but Undavalli caves can be considered the largest and the most outstanding example of ancient Indian architecture which could successfully handle this incredible engineering feat and create these four storey high rock-cut caves that had fantastic sculptures, columns and murals.
History:
Built over several centuries and exhibiting different architectural styles and influences, the rock-cut caves appear like an ancient fort from far. But as you near you can see the distinct floors and the workmanship of skilled craftsmen living at different times in history.
From the 4th to the 6th Century AD, the caves are developed by the rulers of the Vishnukundina dynasty ruling over these parts during that period. Since the Vishnukundina kings were Buddhist, Undavalli Caves were firstly made into Buddhist temples and monasteries. There is evidence to this theory in the form of Buddhist statues which still exist in the caves. The caves carved by the Buddhist Kings are the first floor caves.
Between the 6th and 8th centuries AD Undavalli caves were linked to Jain kings Initially caves were shaped as a home for Jain ascetics. The first floor of the caves still shows Jain style vihara and some statues and sculpture of Thirthankaras. The Jain cave shows influences of Udayagiri and Khandgiri schools of architecture.
After this however the caves were developed by Hindu kings and most of the pieces of art that we see in the other three floors is associated with Hindu religion. The subsequent floors show different architectural styles such as earliest examples of Gupta architecture, while the second floor shows the influences of Chalukyan architecture On the second floor there is a magnificent 5 mtrs long statue of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture that has been carved out of a single block of granite.
Structures and Findings :
Undavalli Caves has four floors; the first floor is larger than the second with each of the following floors receding successively from the façade which is 29 mtrs in width. The first floor has huge 10-12 square columns and 8-9 openings in between the columns. The floor plan and the and style of sculptures seen on the first floor show that this was a Buddhist Buddhist monastery as there are viharas and meditation cells but this seems to be incomplete. Behind these there are three temples for the Hindu Triumvirate; Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in front of each of these is a hall with pillars. The murals and sculpture on the walls of the first floor show scenes from Hindu mythology and have been created in 7th and 8the Centuries AD and later.
The second floor has the most marvelous sculpture in this cave complex; it is a massive statue of Lord Vishnu as Padmanabha or reclining on the Shesha Naag with the a lotus or Padma from his Nabhi, that is five mtrs in length. Although this statue resembles the statue of the reclining Buddha seen in many Buddhist temples, it is a statue of Vishnu as is evident from the Adi-Shesha Naag that holds its thousand hoods like an umbrella over the head of Vishnu. There are many other sculptures and murals on this floor.
The third floor of the caves is also decorated with many sculptures depicting wild animals such as lions, elephants and nature.
This Place is situated at Andhra Pradesh
Tadepalle Mandal In Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh , India. 
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