Just 6km southwest of downtown Vijayawada, on the south side of the Krishna River, this stunning four-storey cave temple was probably originally carved out of the hillside for Buddhist monks in the 2nd century AD, then converted to Hindu use in the 7th century. The shrines are now empty except those on the third level, one of which houses a huge reclining Vishnu. Three gnome-like stone Vasihnavite gurus or preachers gaze out over the rice paddies from the terrace. Bus 301 (₹20, 20 minutes) runs here every 20 minutes from Vijayawada bus station; autorickshaws ask ₹250 return.
