Tourist places in and around Badami
The Cave Temples
Badami Caves - 1 km, this group of 4 cave temples have been carved out of the hill opposite Badami fort. The Chalukyan king, Mangalesa(598-610)AD)was responsible for the completion of these cave temples. Of the four, three are Brahmanical, while the fourth is Jain. Nearly 2000 steps have to be climbed to reach the cave.Cave I - This is a Shaivite cave. The important carvings in this cave are an 18-armed dancing Shiva, a two-handed Ganesha, Mahishasura Mardini, Ardha Nareeshwara & Shankarnarayana. The ceiling is adorned by a serpent motif & other carved figures
Cave II - This cave has Vaishnavite influence with panels of Trivikrama & Bhuvaraha. On the ceilings are carvings of Anantasayana, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva &other Ashtadikpalas.
Cave III - Another flight of steps takes one to the third cave, which is the largest & the best of the lot. This cave has carvings pertaining to both Shaivite & Vaishnavite themes. Panels of Trivikrama, Narasimha, Shankaranarayana, Bhuvaraha, Anantasayana & Harihara are engraved in a vigorous style. An inscription found here records the creation of the shrine by Mangalesha in 578 AD. There are some fine bracket figures on the pillars of this cave.
Cave IV - Lying to the east of cave three, the fourth cave is Jain. There is an image of Mahavira adorning the sanctum. Other carvings here are of Padmavathi & other Thirthankaras. Asteep climb up some steps cut in a crevice between Cave II & III leads to the southern part of Badami Fort & to an old gun placed there by Tippu Sultan.
The four famous caves of Badami are on the edge of the hills, reached by a long flight of steps. Of the four caves, the first three are Vedic caves reserved for Shiva and Vishnu while the fourth contains several Jain deities and a huge idol of Parshwanatha. The Chalukyas were Vaishnavites, or worshippers of Vishnu. But their religious and sect-wise tolerance was quite unlike the present gladiators of Ayodhya. The Chalukyas ruled for 600 years, barring a brief reprieve in between, when they were humbled by the Pallavas. They regained their supremacy but in the process had seen the mortal nature of life and turned spiritual. They then invited the Shaivites and Jains to build temples too. There is a delicately handled Ardhanareeshwara, the Shiva-Parvati combine, in the first cave. The right portion of the sculpture resembles Shiva and the left portion is shapely, like the body of his consort. Another combi shows Shiva and Vishnu sharing a body. There's also an exquisite Nataraja with 18 hands. The guide uses his handkerchief effectively over this carving to reveal 81 different poses of dancing Shiva. The second cave temple has some of the best sculptures in Badami, though the third cave is the undisputed star of the complex. Cave Two is dedicated to Vishnu, portrayed in his varaha and Trivikrama avatars. The sculpture of the varaha (boar) was the emblem of the Chalukyas, perhaps the reason why this is among the most striking of the sculptures here. When you step out the second cave and head towards Cave Three, you will find a flight of steps that lead up to Tipu's Fort. Cave Three is also dedicated to Vishnu, and has sculptures of Shiva, Brahma and Indra. Such an auspicious combination of the Hindu trinity and the king of the gods has ensured Cave Three carries the crown of housing the best sculptures. Cave Four was the one allotted to the Jains, and unsurprisingly has stunning sculptures of the tirthankaras, including the first, Adinath. The caves are clustered together, 2 km from the bus stand. There are plenty of signs to guide you to them. Entry fee Rs 5, foreigners Rs 100 Timings 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
The famous four cave temples carved a cliff on the southern side are full of splendid sculptures. The 6th century cave-1, 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. Cave No.2 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and simpler in design. Some of the fine sculptures here are of varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Naga and Trivi8krama. The 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 4 carved during 7th-8th centuries is the only Jain temple in Badami.
In a rather small area, we find at Badami four cave temples, a dozen temples and the ruins of two forts. Because of the setting of the rock formation, the entrance to the cave temples faces north. Traditionally, the entrance to a sacred place should face east.
2.1.cave I must have been carved before 578, which is the year when cave 3 was completed. On the right side before the entrance we see a unique shiva Nat-raj (a) with 18 arms. In two hands above his head he holds a snake; in his right hands he holds a damaru drum, a garland, a lasso etc. In his left hands he carries a trident, a vina in strument etc. On his forehead we see the moon-crest. If we consider only one left and one right hand at the time, we can see shiva here in 81 different positions. The smile on his face does not reveal how hard the dance must be. In the small portal to the west, outside the veranda, is a sculpture of Mahish-asur-mardini durga (b), killing the buffalo-demon Mahish. With a smile on her face she fights and kills him, displaying her superiority. In her two free hands, she holds a disc and a conch, attributes of Vishnu. On the pedestal we see 10 dwarfs, on top there are two gandharvas or celestial beings. On her right side Kartikey (c) is seated on his peacock (and underneath a complex combination of dwarfs). On her left side we see Ganesh (D), the other son of shiva. In his left hand he holds his favourite dish with sweets.
On the western side in the verandah we see Ardh-narshvar (E), shiva and parvti in one image. We recognize shiva's moon-crest, the skull in his hair, his axe and snake and the tiger's skin. His ‘third eye' be comes, on Parvati's forehead, a tika, that is her ‘third eye'. The ascettic Bhringi, not more than a skeleton, stands close by.
On the eastern side in the verandah stand Harihar (f), who is shiva and Vishnu in one image. Shiva has the same attributes as in the image of Ardh-narishvar. At his side we see his consort Parvati and the bull Nandi. Beside Vishnu we see his consort Lakshmi and Garud, the Eagle (mount of Vishnu) in human form.
On the right side of Harihar stands a dvarpal or doorman; on top is shiva Vrishabh-arudh or shiva and Parvati seated on the bull Nandi. Below is a bull - elephant combination. In the ceiling we see gandharvas (h) or celestrial beings. In the ceiling in the centre is Adishesh (G) or the King of the snakes, with a human head. Most of the sculptures on the 16 pillars have an erotic connotation.
2.2. Cave 2 was also cut before 578. On both sides of the platform we see a dvarpal or doorman, with female partner. Each doorman wears snake - bracelets. On the western wall stands Vishnu as Vaman Trivikram: the Dwarf who approached King Bali for a gift of land. Below, we see a Brahman who pours water, to confirm the donation. Vishnu appears with eight arms, while several of Bali's as sistants try to attack him.
On the eastern wall of the verandah we see a bas - relief of Vishnu as Varah (the Boar). When the demon Horanyaksha had taken the goddess Earth to the netherworld, Vishnu volunteered to go and bring her back. Here the earth stands on a lotus in Vishnu's left hand. Vishnu is represented in the typical pratyalidh pose, walking to the lefe: this expresses the great dynamism of the scene. Below, a five - hooded snake worships Vishnu. The bas - relifs with scenes from the life of Krishna, on the top - sections of the pillars are remarkable because of the very early date of the cave. At the entrance to the shrine stand two dvarpal, Padma - nidhi (to the east, with lotus) and Skanda-nidhi (to the west conch.
There is a steep stairway - between Caves 1 and 2 - leading up to a natural cave, with the Buddhist Padmapani, and a little further on are the ruins of the southern fort.2.3. Cave 3 by itself is worth a visit to Badami. There are two important inscriptions. The first is found near Vishnu Vaman (a), in which it says that a blessing is conferred on all who visit the shrine. The second inscription can be seen near Vishnu varah (e): it says that the Vishnu cave temple was commissioned in 578, by Mangalesh, in the twelfth year of the reign of his elder brother Kirtivarma I.
a. Vishnu Vaman Trivikram b. VishnuNarsinha. This powerful figure of Vishnu radiates power and triumph. He is surrounded by celestial figures carrying flowers. On his right side we see possibly Prahlad (with Buddhist hair style), the son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu; on the left stands vishni's mount, the Eagle Garud in human form.
c. Harihar, with Kamdev or Cupid on the pillar, with bow and ar rows.
d. On the eastern wall we see Vishnu, sitting on the snake sheshnag; usually Vishnu is lying down on the snake. On his right we see again the eagle Garud, on his left his consort Lakshmi. Below, we see a group of celestial dwarfs, playing musical instruments.
e. Vishnu Varah or the Boar. Here the attractive Earth rests on one of his left arms. In the same bas-relief we see further Nags or snake gods worshipping Vishnu. On the right side we find the important inscription (year of construction 578).
f. To the east, outside the verandah stands the impressive sculpture of Vishnu virat Purush or Great Man (3.2m). In his 8 hands he holds his attributes, while Vishnu Narsinha (Man-Lion) is depicted above his head.
The pillars of the verandah have very attractive sculptures. In order to identify them I have numbered the pillars I to VIII (see plan of Cave3), with a sub-division east, south etc.
South: Sal-bhanjika, with jewelry
The ceiling (numbered 1 to 6 in the plan) displays very impressive sculptures of gods, with their mounts. We must remember that theseimages were carved out of single pieces of stone, and not in pieces which could be fitted in later on.2.4. Cave 4
This cave is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars; it is of a later date than the previous caves. In the western wall of the platform (on your right before you enter the verandah), you see Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar and possibly the first historical figure in Jain history; he may have been a contemporary of the Buddha and the founder of Jainism (ca. 500 BC).In the western wall inside the verandah stands the 7th tirthankar Suparshvanath (not the 23 rd tirthankar Parshvanath, as is some times suggested. Suparshvanath usually has a crown of a five-hooded cobra, Parshvanath has a seven-hooded cobra). In the eastern wall of the verandah stands Bahubali or gomateshwar; this image is older than the image that crowns the hill of shravanbegola. In the western and in the eastern wall of the main hall stands a huge image of Mahavir. The shrine is dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankar, carved in the bas-relief on the southern wall.
The Bhuthanatha Temple
Exit the caves and you will see the Bhuthanatha Temple below, on the opposite hill across the tank. The Agasthya Tirtha tank looks particularly picturesque from this angle. You rush down enamoured by its sylvan looks. Do it by all means to see the temple, its classic style and the backdrop of the hills, which you have just visited. Don't go near the lake, even if the guide tells you that a dip used to cure many diseases. It might, but who knows what other germs you might catch as well. The water is a pathetic combination of green and emerald hues. Water, the textbook says, is a colourless, odourless and tasteless liquid. Timings 6:00 am to 6:00 pm It is located in a natural cave near the ancient Bhutnath Lake.Tipu's Fort
In the 18th century Tipu Sultan visited Badami. Unsurprisingly, he liked what he saw and promptly built a fort on top of the Badami Hills. Magnificent cannons were placed at vantage points to fight the Marathas, says the guide. If he notices an apprehensive look on your face, he will say to fight the British. A bit of freedom with dates and interpretation of historical facts is okay as many great scholars have not yet been able to agree on the real year of birth of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. The cannons are a beauty sleek, smooth and hard. Tipu's Fort is atop the hill into which the cave temples were carved. The path to the fort leads up past caves Two and Three. En route, you will pass a natural cave which houses some Buddhist carvings. The climb up is worth it for the view of Badami. Open-air museumTo get a sense of the splendour of all three towns, visit a natural National Museum in Badami. This is no display hall in a brick building, but an area where the high school students tried out everything rock cut steps, caves and incomplete idols tried out as a first draft are cordoned off here. The site has been declared a museum. Timings 9 am to 6 pmBanashankari Temple (5km)
Even if you think you have had your fill of temple architecture and sculpture, Banashankari, 5 km from Badami, does not bore you. The pond next to the temple, the Harischandra Tirtha, has an interesting mythological history. Goddess Banashankari converted herself into a pond, either to beat the heat or the stuffy atmosphere. Now, for the first time in 100 years say the guides, the pond has gone dry. Some other guides insisted the gap was only 70 years. Water or no water, this is one of the most ancient shrines in Karnataka. They come in thousands for the Van Poornima fair in January, which lasts for two months. The popularity of this fair is gauged by the number of touring tent cinemas that are pitched here around during this time: 13. Timings 6 am to 8 pm, puja thrice daily Jatra fee Rs 2 It is one of the ancient temples of Karnataka. Harishchandra Teertha, a large sacred pond in front of the shrine is a fine example of chalukyant temple architecture.South Fort
Famous for its cave temples, the South Fort has four such cave temples. Cave 1 is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a beautiful sculpture of Nataraja (dancing Shiva) at the entrance. You will also find here sculptures of Harihara (half-Vishnu, half-Siva) and their consorts Lakshmi and Parvati, that of Ardhanariswara (Siva as half-man, half-woman) and a Shiva-ling on the altar. Cave 2 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu which has sculptures of Varaha (boar incarnation of Vishnu), Vamana (dwarf incarnation). On the ceiling is a carving of Lord Vishnu riding his bird carrier, Garuda. Cave 3, which is the largest cave, has sculptures of Vishnu, Narasimha, Harihara, Trivikrama, and others. Some of the sculptures are about 3m (10 ft) high. Cave 4 is a Jain cave and has a statue of seated Parswanath. There are carvings of the Tirthankaras both standing and sitting.Mallegitti Shivalaya Temple
Another monument worth looking out for is the Mallegitti Sivalaya Temple built in the late 7th century. There is a pillared hallway and statues of Vishnu and Siva on the outer walls.Jambulinga Temple
Within the town is situated the Jambulinga Temple (699 AD), originally dedicated to Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma. It is close to the famous Agasthya Tank. Close to it, the Yellamma Temple (11th century) is the best late Chalukya temple in the town.The ancient temple complex in the heart of the town dates back to 699 AD. There are shrines of lord shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, which open into a common mandapa.
North Fort Temples
The largest enclosure, the North Fort includes two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, several other platforms, double fortification walls and several other remarkable architectural elements.Within the fort are temple, relics of a granary, a treasury and a watch tower providing an insight into the history of Badami?
Medieval Sculpture Gallery
This museum has Shiva's bull, Nandi at its entrance overlooking the dammed lake. It also houses the model of the natural bridge at Sidilinapadi.Archaeological Museum
It houses specimens from Badami, aivalli and Pattadkal.This museum set up by the Archaeological Survey of India houses artifacts of local sculptures including the remarkable Lajja-Gauri images of fertility cult. The tourists visiting Badami can opt for comfortable and luxurious accommodation in Badami, Karnataka. The hotels in Badami give the tourists every modern facility to make their stay memorable in Badami.
Museum & Art Gallery
A sculpture gallery is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India on the Bhutanatha Temple Road.Badami Fort
2 km. Strategically situated on top of the hill, the fort encloses large granaries, a treasury impressive temples on top of the northern end of the hill. Malegitti Shivalaya, perhaps the oldest temple of the lot, is dedicated to the benign aspect of Shiva as the garland maker. Placed on the summit of a rocky hill, the temple is built of stone, finely joined without mortar, & with Dravidian tower. The lower Shivalaya has a Dravidian tower of which only the sanctum remains now.There are some more temples in Badami town & several of them dotting the banks of a well-built tank locally called the Agasthya Tirtha.
Jain Temple
A number of Jain temples and a figure of Parshwanatha are the landmarks of this city as they stand atop a cliff.Nataraja Temple
The eighteen-armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses is the unique center of attraction here. Believed to be the first cave temple, it is one of its own kinds in the whole of India.Vishnu Temple
The largest third cave temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the most ornamental temple in Badami. There are wonderful bracket figures on the piers and also some paintings on the ceiling. Some splendid carvings of the composite god who is half Shiva and half Vishnu, Hindu pantheon, such as Narasimha, the half-man-half-god lion incarnation of Vishnu, Harihara, Narayana sitting as well as reclining on the snake 'Shesh' or 'Anantha' (eternity) are also there.Lake
The water of this lake to said to have the healing properties. A bracy dip in the serene waters of this lake is said to cure leprosy.Guledgud
24 km Guledgud meaning "emigrants" hill came to be so called after emigrants came & settled here beside a hill. Singappa Naik Desai, an officer of Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur, built a fort here in 1580. The present town was built at the site of dry lake in 1705. There are several temples & a Dargah of Sayyad Basha.Lakkundi
82 Kms, about 12 km south-east of Gadag, Lakkundi is a place of antiquarian interest with as many as 50 temples & 29 inscriptions, spread over the period of the later Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seunas & the Hoysalas. A great center of Chalukyan art, there are several temples of note here. Among them Kasi Vishwanatha is the most ornate & elaborately furnished. There is also a Jain Temple dedicated to Mahavira, the largest & oldest shrines at Lakkundi. Lakkundi is also noted for its steep wells, artistically built with small-canopied niches inside the walls of the wells enshrining lingas. There is sculpture gallery maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.Lakkundi Temple
Mahakuta, 14 Kms, once a great center of the shaiva cult, Mahakuta is a beautiful place surrounded by hills. The Mahakuteshwara temple dedicated to Shiva, is built in the Dravidian style. There are several small shrines around it with a wealth of carvings on the walls. There are few other Shiva temples in Mahakuta dating back to the days of the Chalukyas, This place is often called Dakshina Kasi because of its religious sanctify.Naganath Temple
10 km, located in a forest on the way to Mahakuta, it is one of the early Chalukyan temples dedicated to Shiva.Nesting in the foothills of the Nilgiris, the Bandipur National Park was formed by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park, set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. It is one of the tiger reserves in the country.
A popular game resort of the rulers of Mysore, the flora in the forest comprises Teak, Rosewood, Honne, Mathi, Bamboo and Sandal Trees. The important animals in the park are Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Chital and Sambar. Birds like the Peafowl, Partridge, Quail, Hornbill and Ibis are also found here. Apart from these, Dhole(wild dog), Sambar, Muntjac or Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel and sometimes Sloth Bear and Nocturnal Porcupine and Blacknaped Hare may be seen in the sanctuary.
Well planned motorable roads close to the perennial and seasonal water points, and adequate open space in the jungle allow visitors to observe animals closely, particularly elephant herds, by car. It is always advisable to maintain a safe distance from these large animals even if you are in your car.
Pug marks on soft earth in the permissible tourism zone attest to the presence of tigers, though they are rarely sighted. Much less seen is the leopard, the other major carnivore.
Visitors can hire elephants or a vehicle to go round the park. They can also visit the nearby Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. The Moyar River forms a natural boundary between the two.
Excursions
Aihole
Aihole was the capital of the Chalukya kings between the fourth and seventh centuries AD before they moved to Badami. Many old temples stand around the village. The Ladkhan temple is seen as a prototype for later buildings. While these temples do display the early stages of the developmentof Hindu architecture, their appeal is limited Aihole's real attractions are its peace and the opportunity to see something of rural life.Information. Descriptive booklet from the museum.
Arrvial and departure. Bus from Badami (2 hrs) and Pattadakai (1/2 hr).
46 Kms, There is a remarkable group of temples here built during the reign of Chalukyan rulers, dating from the sixth to the eighth centuries.
Pattadakal (20 km)
Here you get to see Chalukyan temples in both northern and southern (Dravidian) styles. Most are in a single group near the village. A little further away the large northern-style Papnath temple, dating from around AD 800, is similar to the Kailasha temple at Ellora, and is adorned with scenes from the Ramayana. Some of these temples are of impressive size, but the detailing is pretty crude.Pattadkal, the second capital of Badami chalukyas, set on the banks of river Malaprabha is yet another grand show case of chalukya style of architecture. The 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 during 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 scens from Ramayana and Mahabharta. In front of the temple is a 2.6 metres high sculpture of Nandi.
Arrival and departure. On bus route from Badami (1 ½ hrs) to Aihole (1/2hr)