Guntupalli Caves

INDIA, Andhra Pradesh, West Godavari

The Guntupalli Caves are located 40 km from Eluru, in West Godavari. They date back to approximately the 3rd century BCE. The caves are built along a cliff and include a caitya cave and a number of vihara caves. More than 60 stupas in various sizes are located on the top of the hill above the caves. The entrance of the caitya cave is embellished with imitation wooden rafters and vaulted eaves, while the interior contains the remains of an arched wall separating the front and rear chambers. The square front chamber is quite narrow, while the rounded rear chamber houses an inverted alms bowl stupa 5.5 m in diameter. The cave has a barrel-vaulted ceiling with imitation wooden beams that form a radiating pattern. Some scholars hypothesize that the design of this cave is the model for the apsidal layout that later became standard for caitya caves.