Four-Storeyed Rock-Cut Hindu Temple, Undavalli, District Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Undavalli Hills lies on the right bank of the Krishna River, opposite the Amaravati group. These rock-cut temples were dedicated to the Hindu trinity, with the principal deity being Anantasayi Vishnu. Based on stylistic analysis, the earliest phase dates to the early to mid-7th century CE. Among several inscriptions, a Telugu label inscription reading “Sri-Utpattipidugu” is significant. Later inscriptions from the Reddy chiefs of Kondavidu (14th century) and the Vijayanagara ruler Sri Krishnadevaraya (16th century) indicate continued patronage and sanctity attached to these caves over centuries.
The excavation is a multi-storeyed structure, nearly 28 meters in length and 15 meters in height, oriented east-west and facing north toward the river. The upper three storeys are finished, while the ground floor remains a crude excavation, suggesting the excavation proceeded top-down.
The ground floor features a long hall with massive square pillars and seven equal front openings. The first storey houses the largest hall, which includes triple shrines carved into the rear wall, each distinct and fronted by a pillared mandapa. The façade features four massive pillars with two side pilasters, with entrances marked by balustraded steps and moonstones. The central shrine is more prominent, with a cornice bearing a frieze of geese below and kudu arches over the kapota. Sidewall panels depict various incarnations of Vishnu. The pillars with taranga (wave-like) brackets closely resemble Pallava architecture.
The second storey comprises a grand pillared hall, 9 meters wide and 15 meters long, divided into four bays with six pillars in each row and side pilasters. A square cave (4x4 meters) lies at the southern end, while an oblong sanctuary along the northern wall houses a colossal image of Anantasayi Vishnu. The open terrace offers panoramic views of the river and surrounding countryside, with life-sized sculptures—three sages in padmasana and a defaced royal figure flanked by prancing lions, likely representing a patron king.
The topmost storey remains unfinished and includes a triple-celled shrine. Despite its incomplete state, the temple remains an outstanding example of early rock-cut architecture and devotional patronage in South India.
Bibliography
- Soundara Rajan, K.V., Rock-cut Temple Styles (New Delhi, 1981), pp. 52–54
- A. H. Longhurst, The Buddhist Antiquities of Nagarjunakonda, (ASIR, Vol. XXI, 1938), p. 43
- Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy, 1912, No. 121
- Rao, P. R., History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh, (Sterling Publishers, 1994), pp. 106–108