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Historical PlaceFamousHeritage & History
Undavalli Caves
Undavalli Caves offers a window into rock-cut cave architecture and reclining vishnu—a story best explored slowly, with respect for local culture and nature.
- #rock-cut-cave-architecture-and-reclining-vishnu
Photo: Laxmanvety · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
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01 — About
About Undavalli Caves
The Undavalli Caves are a set of rock-cut shrines carved out of a sandstone hillside beside the Krishna River in Guntur, near Amaravati. They are dated to around the 4th and 5th centuries and are linked to the Vishnukundina rulers. The chambers were first used as dwellings for Buddhist monks.
The carving combines Buddhist and Hindu elements and follows the style of the Gupta period. The most notable sculptures show Narasimha, Vishnu and scenes from the Ramayana, and painted murals on the walls illustrate old myths.
On the second level lies a reclining figure, thought to be Vishnu, about 5 metres long. From the top of the caves there is a wide view over green hills and the Krishna River.
02 — Plan your visit
Plan your visit
Time and effort
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours; allow more for pilgrimage/forts
Tickets and permits
- Entry fee
- May be free or ticketed
- Parking
- Parking may be available near main access
- Permits
- Usually none for ordinary public access; forest, boat, sanctuary, trek or restricted areas may require permits/booking
On the ground
- Local food
- Try regional Andhra meals, pesarattu, punugulu, pesarapappu, gongura pachadi, local seasonal dishes; coastal areas: seafood; Araku: tribal/local cuisine
- Access
- Starter research record.
Stay safe
Respect barriers and heritage structures
Where it is
NTR, Andhra Pradesh
No map pin yet: directions search for the name
01 — More in Andhra Pradesh
