Category:Udayagiri Caves, Madhya Pradesh, Cave 4

The Udaygiri Cave 4 near Vidisha is also called the Veena cave (Vina cave), named after the two Veena players, one each at the doorway lintel corners. Cave 4 is dedicated to Shiva.

The cave entrance is flanked by two dvarapalas (eroded, damaged) and two pillars (damaged). The rock surface in front suggests that this cave had a mandapa in front, but it is now lost. The doorway sakhas are finely decorated with geometric and flower-like artwork. Inside the sanctum is a beautifully carved monolithic Ekamukha Shiva linga – one with almost feminine-face, strands of hair rolling down.

To the right of the Cave 4 is another large rock-cut panel. It has a ledge at top and a bench below. On the bench are seated figures whose legs and lower torso can be traced. The upper body and the left side of the panel is damaged and lost. This is another Saptamatrika panel at the Udayagiri Caves site. It is significant as it re-emphasizes the importance of the goddess tradition to ancient Hinduism by the early 5th-century.

This cave is notable for its miniature Veena artwork, as it links the role of India's ancient musical instrument and traditions to a Shiva temple by the 5th-century.