BADAMI
ABOUT BADAMI:
- Beautiful capital of early Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD.
- Nestles in a spectacular gorge surrounded by gold-rust sandstone cliffs.
- Indeed a treasure house of architecture and sculpture and has some of the earliest and finest example of rock cut caves and free standing temple architecture.
MODE OF COMMUNICATION:
- Airport: Goa International Airport, Dabolim (GOI), 290 kms away from Badami city.
- Rail: Badami Railway Station, Badami, 5.5 kms away from Badami city centre.
- Road: Well connected by road.
SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:
FORT & MONUMENTS
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North Fort Pattadkal
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HOLY CENTRE
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Caves Jambulinga Temple Buddhist Temple Aivalli (Aihole) Temple of Durga Banashankari Temple Mahkuta Pattadkal
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MUSEUM & AUDITORIUM
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Archaeological Museum
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FAIRS & FESTIVALS
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- Chalukya Utsava (festival)
- Banashankari Devi Fair
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For more information visit https://www.karnatakatourism.org/
ATTRACTIONS OF BADAMI
Caves:
- Famous four cave temples carved into a cliff on the southern side are full of splendid sculptures.
- 6th century Cave No. 1 is dedicated to Lord Shiva is the oldest and has sculpture of 18 armed Natraja, the dancing Shiva.
- There are also figures of Ardhanarishvara, Harihara, Nandi, Parvati and Garuda etc.
- Cane No. 2 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is simpler design.
- Some of the fine sculptures hare are of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Naga and Trivikrama.
- Large and beautiful Cave No. 3 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and enshrines an enormous four armed figure of Lord Vishnu seated on his serpent couch.
- Cave No. 4 carved during 7th-8th centuries is the only Jain temple in Badami.
Jambulinga Temple:
- Ancient temple complex in the heart of the town dates back to 699 A.D.
- There are shrine of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, which open into a common mandapa.
Buddhist Temple:
- Located in a natural cave near the ancient Bhutnath Lake.
North Fort:
- Within the fort are temples, relics of a granary, a treasury.
- A watch tower providing an insight into the history of Badami.
Archaeological Museum:
- Houses specimens from Badami, Aivalli and Pattadkal.
ATTRACTIONS AROUND BADAMI
Aivalli (Aihole):
- 43 kms away from Badami city.
- ‘Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture’ on the banks of river Malprabha.
- It was the capital of Chalukyas between the 4th and 7th centuries.
- Chalukyas experimented hare with the idea of building temples and one can see temple architecture from its nascent stage to more complex edifices.
- There are over 140 exquisitely carved temples; most of them are dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Temple of Durga:
- 7th century shrine is the largest and finest monument of Aivalli.
- Its semi-circular apse surrounded by an open colonnade and remains of curvilinear sikhara are quite unique.
- Main figures at the shrine are – Chamunda Devi trampling the buffalo demon, Narasimha and aspects of Lord Shiva.
- A small museum behind the Durga temple, exhibiting works of Chalukyan sculptors.
Banashankari Temple:
- 5 kms away from Badami city.
- One of the most ancient temples of Karnataka.
- Harishchandra Teertha, a large sacred pond in front of the shrine is a fine example of Chalukyan temple architecture.
Mahkuta:
- 5 kms away from Badami city.
- Shaiva pilgrim centre set amidst lush surroundings.
- Famous for the Mahakuteshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Pattadkal:
- 20 kms away from Badami city.
- Second capital of Badami Chalukyas, set on the banks of river Malaprabha is yet another grand show case of Chalukya style of architecture.
- Cluster of magnificent temples at the foothills has been listed by UNESCO as a ‘World Heritage Site’.
- Most of the shrines date back to 7th and 8th centuries, but the earliest temples were built here 3rd and 4th centuries.
- These temples represent the evolution of South Indian style of temple architecture.
- There are 10 main temples and the largest among them is the Virupaksheshvara temple.
- It has a huge gateway with intricate inscriptions depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- In front of the temple is a 2.6 metres high sculpture of Nandi.