Udayagiri Caves, Vidisha MP, Ancient rock-cut caves in Vidisha, India

The Udayagiri Caves are twenty rock-cut caves on two low hills of white sandstone near the Betwa and Bes rivers, about 6 km west of Vidisha. Cave 5 holds the large relief of Vishnu as the man-boar Varaha, with Bhudevi clinging to his tusk; above it, two bands carry rows of small carved figures. One cave is Jain, the rest Hindu.

The caves were made during the Gupta Empire under Chandragupta II, around the fourth and fifth centuries. This time was important for the development of architecture and art in India.

The fifth cave shows a large relief of Vishnu as Varaha rescuing the Earth, while other caves display different religious themes from Hinduism and Jainism. The complex shows how people in ancient India used hillsides for sacred purposes and worshipped their gods there.

The place is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) west of Vidisha and works well for visits in the morning, when natural light brings out the details. The paths between the caves pass through uneven sections, so sturdy footwear helps.

Inscriptions on the walls document land donations from the fifth century and name rulers from that time. These texts connect the place directly with historical figures from that era.