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Tucked away in the Bagalkot district of north Karnataka is a place that resembles the American Wild West. Badami characterized by sun kissed rusty hillocks is home to the legendary rock-cut temples of Chalukya dynasty carved out of a red sandstone cliff, overlooking the serene Agastya Lake. The temples are a testament to the exceptional artistry of the Chalukyan sculptors.
A flight of steps on the cliff lead you to the four ancient cave temples replete with carved pillars and bracket figures, all hewn out of red sandstone, on the precipice. The sculpture of the 18-armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses in the first cave, sets the tone for the artistry to follow. Among the four cave temples, the first three are Hindu temples while the fourth one is a Jain temple. The Badami caves are enveloped in a different aura during the sunsets, with the red sandstone reflecting a faded pink glow over the landscape and the cool breeze from lakeside sifting through your musings.
Get to the other side of Agastya Lake and climb through a rocky chasm and fortified gateways to discover another series of elegant temples. The Upper Shivalaya Temple still has some friezes and sculptures depicting legends relating to Lord Krishna. Perched atop a rock, the Malegitti Shivalaya is an example of the ancient south Indian style of architecture.
While at Bagalkot, try and get a couple of the famed Ilkal sarees which get its name from this quaint town in Karnataka. These sarees have the prestigious GI tag, and are sought after for their distinctive weave- cotton for body, art silk for border, and art silk again for the pallav, which are joined together with a series of loops.
While the whole experience of exploring Badami is a deeply fulfilling one, it can get weary as well. The town of Bagalkot also has so much to offer to an avid traveller that a day is not enough. Check into KSTDC’s Mayura Chalukya Badami, easily accessible from most nearby attractions to explore the town at your pace. The property which offers the option of both AC and Non AC rooms deluxe rooms, has a restaurant and a beer parlour as well.
For reservations/ enquiries, please log on to www.kstdc.co or call Mob: 8970650070/75 Tel: +91 80 4334 4334
Located on the banks of the Malaprabha River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to the richness of Chalukyan architecture and is renowned for its intricately chiselled temples. Under the reign of Chalukyas, Pattadakal was used as a venue where kings were crowned and commemorated. It has a cluster of 10 major temples, which showcase a mix of Dravidian and Aryan architectural features.
Heralded as the ‘cradle of Hindu/ Dravidian temple architecture’, Aihole is a tranquil village on the banks of Malaprabha river. The town has numerous temples, the most noteworthy among them is the Durga Temple composed of a semicircular apse, an elevated plinth and a gallery encircling the sanctum. The Lad Khan Temple is one of the earliest temples in the region and was initially a royal assembly hall and marriage mantapa. Other major attractions in the area are the Huchimalli Temple, the Raven Phadi Cave Temple, the Konti Temple Complex, the Uma Maheshwari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple, and the two storied Buddhist temple.
The sandstone cliffs of Badami, ideal for rock climbing attempted by both amateurs and experts, promises to be a challenging experience.
Surrounded by hills, the Mahakuta group of temples is an important place of worship for Hindus and is the location of a well-known Shaiva monastery. These temples that date back to the 6th or 7th century CE were constructed by the early kings of the Chalukya dynasty. There are primarily 2 temples here with the sacred temple tank;Vishu Pushkarni, located between them.
Yadahalli Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Bilagi and Mudhol ranges of Bagalkot Forest Division. The main purpose of this sanctuary is to protect, propagate and develop the Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) and other wildlife in its environment.
Shivayogi Mandira is a place of spiritual importance located on the banks of the Malaprabha River near Badami. The institution is an important for Veerashaiva Lingayats who in turn trains and educates the Veerashaiva Mathadhipathis (religious heads).
Navanagar Museum is built in the Cultural Complex of Navanagar and portrays the lifestyles, artforms and culture of North Karnataka. Navanagar museum has a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural and historical importance.