MOGALARAJAPURAM, Vijayawada (Caves at)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A groupf of five man-made -cave temples- (5th century rock temples used for religious purposes) are excavated from Archaean baserock (DUTT, N V B S 1981: 1) and contain sculptures (note 1) which represent rock art and have been interpreted as idols, SITUATION: Mogalarajapuram (note 2) in Buckimhampet, a suburb 3 km east (LONELY PLANET, South India 2001: 440) of Vijayawada (city centre N16°31': E080°37'). CULTURAL HISTORY 2004: The Mogalarajapuram temple has an 'Ardhanarisvara' statue [note 2] which is thought to be the earliest in South India. Cave 2 shows an overhanging cornice with artificial windows. The idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka in one cave are still in good condition among the worn images of deities (webindia123.com/city/andhra/vijaya/interest.htm accessed 22.12.2004). CULTURAL HISTORY 2007: Mogalarajapuram Caves, Vijayawada. These caves are datable to 5th Century AD. The idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka and Arthanareeswara [note 3] are carved here (incredibletourim.com/andhra-pradesh-trav… accessed 2007.12.14).A groupf of five man-made -cave temples- (5th century rock temples used for religious purposes) are excavated from Archaean baserock (DUTT, N V B S 1981: 1) and contain sculptures (note 1) which represent rock art and have been interpreted as idols, SITUATION: Mogalarajapuram (note 2) in Buckimhampet, a suburb 3 km east (LONELY PLANET, South India 2001: 440) of Vijayawada (city centre N16°31': E080°37'). CULTURAL HISTORY 2004: The Mogalarajapuram temple has an 'Ardhanarisvara' statue [note 2] which is thought to be the earliest in South India. Cave 2 shows an overhanging cornice with artificial windows. The idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka in one cave are still in good condition among the worn images of deities (webindia123.com/city/andhra/vijaya/interest.htm accessed 22.12.2004). CULTURAL HISTORY 2007: Mogalarajapuram Caves, Vijayawada. These caves are datable to 5th Century AD. The idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka and Arthanareeswara [note 3] are carved here (incredibletourim.com/andhra-pradesh-trav… accessed 2007.12.14).