Location : Karnataka,
South India
Known for : Rock Cut Cave Temples
Best time to Visit : October to March
About the Cave Temples
Badami is a little town situated in the northern part of Karnataka, best
known for its beautifully carved cave temples. Hewn out of soft sandstone at
the drop of a hill, these temples, believed to have been built around the
6th and 7 th century, display a wide range of beliefs followed by religious
sects prevailing in the country over time. Of the total four temples, three
of those belonging to the Hindu faith are man made caves while the fourth
one, also the only natural cave in the vicinity belongs to the Jain
religion.
From the History Books
Badami was a prosperous town in ancient India linked with the Chalukyas. It
is supposed to have been founded by Pulakesin I sometime during the 6th
century and since became one of the most prominent cities around the area.
The Chalukyas are often credited with pioneering a new architectural trend,
glimpses of which can be seen at the cave temples and other neighbouring
places such as Aihole, Pattadakal etc. The area was subsequently ruled by
several dynasties including the Kalachuryas, Yadavas of Davangiri,
Vijayanagar empire, Adi Shahi of Bijapur and the Marathas, from there it
passed into the hands of the British who made it a part of the erstwhile
Bombay presidency.
Architecture of the Badami Cave Temples
The cave temples at Badami are carved out of soft sandstone hills, each
consisting of a sanctum, a hall, an open verandah and several beautiful
pillars. The entire temple complex is a fine example of the Hindu and
Dravidian styles of architecture with its walls adorned with numerous
exquisitely carved sculptures and beautifully done murals. The series of
temples provide enlightening information on the development of art and
culture as well as the Chalukyan architectural style over a period of
several years. While the earliest of constructions seem merely like giant
court halls attached to shrines, those built during the next phase were more
complex in nature. Of the most striking features of the cave temples at
Badami is the 18 armed Nataraja and the Mahavira statue seen in a seated
position.
Do Not Miss Out On
Cave 1
Carved out of red sandstone, Cave 1 was probably the first one to be
constructed, dating back to around 578 AD. A climb of around 40 steps leads
to the columned verandah and a hall with numerous pillars with intricately
carved and decorated walls. The roof is adorned with murals of Hindu deities
including a giant painting of Lord Shiva along with his consort and a looped
serpent. The dancing statue of Nataraja in 81 poses can also be seen here.
Cave 2
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the cave depicts Vishnu as a dwarf measuring the
earth and sky with his feet. The cave is built atop a sandstone hill and can
be easily accessed by a short trek.
Cave 3
A further climb leads to cave 3, another masterpiece dedicated to Lord
Vishnu. The sculptures and carvings on the walls provide a deep insight into
the culture and lifestyle of the 6th century such as costume, jewellery,
hairstyle etc.
Cave 4
The only natural cave around the area is also the only Jain temple at
Badami. A statue of the 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira can be seen here,
seated in a comfortable pose against a cushion in the inner sanctum.
Other Attractions at Badami
Nagnath Temple
Situated just 10 km from Badami is the Aundha Nagnath temple. The temple
built by Yudhishthira, the eldest of the five Pandavas, is considered to be
the first of the 12 holy jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva situated around the
country. The entire structure is adorned with intricate carvings and
beautiful murals.
Aihole
48 km from Badami, Aihole is the ancient capital of the Chalukyas, housing
over 125 temples built in different styles. The temples of Aihole are also
known as experiments in rock cut architecture and it was from here that the
Chalukyas gained in architectural prowess and went on to build the great
temples of Pattadakal.
Archaeological Museum and Lake
The archaeological museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts
providing a deep insight into the history of the area. A lake situated
nearby is believed to contain water with miraculous healing properties
capable of curing chronic diseases.
Badami Fort
The ancient Badami fort, situated just 2 km outside the city is beautifully
perched atop a hill. Within its towering ramparts lies a series of large
graneries, impressive temples and other ancient structures.
Stay At
Staying options at Badami include Hotel Badami Court. Situated at the
station road, the hotel is located amidst picturesque surroundings and
offers facilities such as a large swimming pool and a 24 hour coffee shop.
Other accommodation options at Badami include Hotel Mayura Chalukya
(Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, PWD complex, Ramdurg
Road), Mahakuteshwara Lodge (Station Road), Chalukya Lodge (Station Road)
and Lakshmi Vilas Hotel (Market Area).
Getting There
By Air : The nearest airport is situated at Belgaum,
though not very well connected to the rest of the Indian cities.
By Rail : Badami has its own railway station, however the
trains halting here are mostly 2nd class passenger trains. It is advisable,
therefore, to travel to Gadag from where you can easily get a connection to
Haspet, Hubli and Bijapur.
By Road : The city is well connected to other parts of
the country through a well built network of roads. Regular buses are
available to and from Bijapur, Bangalore, Hubli, Gadag and Ilkal.
Local Transport : Local Buses, Taxis, auto rickshaws and
tongas are the popular local means of transport. Bicycles are also available
for hire from numerous shops on the station road. Local buses ply frequently
to Pattadakal and Aihole while a private cab can also be hired to visit
these historical destinations. Starting early in the morning will ensure
that you get to visit both these sites in a single day.
Distance from Major Cities
- Delhi : 1438 Km
- Belgaum : 126 Km
- Bijapur : 101 Km
- Bangalore : 386 Km
- Gadag : 54 Km
- Ilkal : 46 Km
