An
impressive four-storeyed rock-cut temple probably commenced in the 6th–7th Century CE. It was under continuous royal patronage till the 16th
Century CE. The ground floor is more or less an unfinished pillared hall, while
the first story houses the Trinity. The second storey was dedicated to
Anantasyana Vishnu, and the top storey was intended for a triple shrine, but was unfinished. Some of the extant sculptural specimens, on stylistic grounds, were
attributed to the Chalukyan period. Some experts believe that the Rock Cut
caves were excavated by the Vishnikundinas, who were the predecessors of the Chalukyas in the Vengi country.
All
the cave pillars are square in shape with Taranga pothyal. Some of the
pillars have the Vaishnavism sculptures, like Bhuvarahar, Narasimhar, Thiruvikrama,
etc. The first floor inside the wall has the sculptures of Alwars and Vinayagar.
THE
DETAILS OF ANANDA SAYANA PERUMAL
The
right end of the wall of this hall houses the gigantic 5 m (17 feet) long reclined
image of Anantasai (Lord Vishnu appears reclining on the celestial serpent Anandasai), whose head rests under the seven-hooded canopy. There are two colossal
attendant figures, measuring about eight feet in height, who appear seated above
and below the arms of the Lord. Lord Brahma appears seated on the lotus flower
that emanates from the naval/ naabhi of Vishnu. Garudan is near the head of Maha
Vishnu. Five persons or Ayudhapurush, namely Sudarshana (Chakra or Disc),
Panchajanya (Conch or Shankha), Koumodaki (Mace or Gadha), Saranga (Bow or
Dhanush), and Nandaka (Sword or Khadaga), are also shown along with Brahma. A Rishi is
shown below his head. Madhu and Kaidaban are standing on their feet discussing with
each other how to kill Maha Vishnu. A deity with a peacock is shown may be
Karthikeya.
The
sculpted images of Vishnu and other deities adorn the upper portions of the front wall. The image of four-armed Vishnu (upper hands holding Shankha and
Chakra), seated under the hood of Adhisesha. On the side, thirteen images measuring about two feet in height (two of them damaged) appear, listening to the discourse of the Lord Maha Vishnu.
In
addition to the above 4-storey rock-cut Cave temple, there are two more
unfinished caves on the same hill. One of the cave’s top facades has the bas
relief of elephants and Lions.
INSCRIPTIONS
An inscription on the veranda of the
kitchen in the rock-cut temple of Anantasayana, Undavalli, Guntur Taluk in
Guntur District. (South Indian Inscriptions Volume 10 No 560, ARE No 46 of
1909).
The inscriptions record that
Machama-Reddi, son of Anna-Reddi, endowed certain lands (?) for the performance
of various kinds of worship in the temple of Anantasayin at Undavalli
An inscription, inscribed in a single
line in the Vengi character, dates to the 7th or 8th century, probably during the
time of the Chalukyas.
A very long Telugu inscription dated
around the 13th century, engraved on the north side of the platform, records huge
donations to the temple.
Ref
1. Archaeological
Survey of India Display board.
2. South
Indian Inscription Volume 10, no 560.
3. Annual
Report on South Indian Inscriptions No. 46 of 1909.
LOCATION
OF THE ROCK CUT CAVE: CLICK HERE
Sita and Hanuman
Akkanna
Madanna Caves / అక్కన్న మాదన్న కేవ్స్, Arjuna St, Durga Agraharam,
Mallikarjunapeta, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
These
caves are just below the Kanaka Durga temple and are unfinished. Only
Vinayagar’s bas-relief can be seen.
LOCATION
OF THE ROCK CUT CAVES: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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