Undavalli Caves in Vijayawada - carved out from a sandstone hill

Undavalli Caves, the rock-cut caves in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh State, South India have been carved out from a solid sandstone hill, during the 4^th or 5^th century.

Located on the banks of the Krishna River, these caves are the finest example of Indian rock-cut architecture. A mammoth statue of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Being as believed by the Hindus, is the major attraction here. The statue in a reclined posture has been sculpted from a single granite piece. 

There are shrines inside the Undavalli caves, dedicated to the triumvirate – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is said that Buddhist saints used these caves as their resting place during the rainy season.