Undavalli Caves wow Oz, Bulgaria envoys

Vijayawada: Two diplomats viz., Bridgette Oppinger, and Eleonora Dimitrova, Ambassadors of Australia and Bulgaria, respectively visited the Buddhist caves at Undavalli in Guntur district and were stunned with the architectural beauty of the historical cave.

The diplomats visited the capital region of Amaravati for the 'Diplomatic Outreach' programme organised jointly by Government of India and Government of Andhra Pradesh in Vijayawada on Saturday.

Dr Sivanagi Reddy, Buddhist history expert and CEO, The Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati (CCVA), briefed the diplomats on the history, art and architecture of the 4th-5th centuries AD in Andhra Pradesh.

He explained about the rock-out caves and informed them that it was the only one of its kind in India meant for the rainy retreat of the Buddhist monks. The Ambassadors keenly observed the cave structure and went up to the 4th storey.

Dr Reddy explained on the individual cells used by the monks to take part in meditation several centuries ago. Both the diplomats appreciated the architectural grandeur of the caves which command a panoramic view of River Krishna and lush green fields around and suggested that the cave could be developed as a destination for Buddhist tourists coming from South East Asian Countries. Officers from Tourism, Revenue and Police departments accompanied the visiting diplomats.