Splendours of Udaygiri

Caves of Udaygiri, which means Mount Sunrise, are one of the several groups of ancient monuments situated in the Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh, in India. These are the gems of a golden era and the remains of our past splendour.(pic@anil gulati)



INSCRIPTION MENTIONED in the caves in Vidisha indicate that these are of the reign of Chandragupta II (382-401AD), meaning the caves date back to 4th - 5th century AD. The caves in Vidisha are testimony of the zeal for excellence of the artisans of the period. These caves possess all the distinctive features that gave Gupta art its unique vitality, vigour and richness of expression.

Situated in Sunpura and Udaygiri villages of Vidisha district, these are group of twenty rock-cut caves sanctuaries carved from a sandstone hill. The architecture and the sculpture, and decorative feature of these caves give them a unique perspective. The caves are numbered probably according to the sequence in which they were excavated, beginning with Cave one. Out of the twenty caves of Udaygiri number one, two, three, four, six, seven, 16, 17, 19 show distinct features of architectural value. Cave number one is a rock-cut cave with structural portico in front of pillars having capitals in vase and foliage design. Caves number one, three, four are plain rock-cut cells with sculptures of Dvarapalas, Vishnu, Ganesha and Sapta Matrikas on the exterior of number four, rock-cut image of Skanda on number two and a linga with face in number four.

From sculptural point of view, cave number five in these caves is important because of the famous Varha incarnation scene contained in it. It is also referred by some as ‘Varha Gupha’. Lord Varha is in human form with head of boar, shown lifting up the earth out of waters. The scene is attended by the gods, sages and the river goddesses. Cave number nine - 12 have enshrined image of Lord Vishnu and are contemporaneous with Lord Vishnu’s figure of cave number six. Cave number 13 has a large rock-cut sculpture of Lord Sheshashayi Vishnu. Containing this colossal statue, this open cave is twelve feet long.

As we go to other caves four, six, and 19, we observe that the shrines become larger and more ornate and cells appear more spacious and the simple porch assumes in cave number 19 the appearance of pillared hall. A stage in process is seen in cave number four, known as Bina cave. Cave number 20 has four sculptures, two each on both sides of the entrance to the main shrine. Inscriptions indicate Jain sculptures in the cave.

It is also the decorative features of the doorstep in the caves, which adds significance to their relative antiquity amongst themselves and as compared with the structural examples. The caves in Vidisha could be referred to as the gems of a golden era and the remains of our past splendour, worth a visit to the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Contributed by Anil Gulati