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Northern part of Karnataka, more commonly referred to as Uttara Kannada is a monumental trip that is sure to leave your thirst for heritage sites satiated. From cave temples to an entire empire in ruins, this belt of Deccan plateau harbours the rich and diverse history of multiple dynasties within these remnants.
The Bagalkot district, situated along the banks of the river Ghataprabha entices the traveler with its unique temple trail. The architectural and artisanal prowess seen in the heritage sites at the hamlet, embodies the crowning glory of the Chalukya dynasty.
Situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, the exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. Climb a flight of steps to reach the four ancient rock-cut caves replete with carved pillars and bracket figures, all hewn out of red sandstone, on the precipice of a hill.
The largest of them is the third cave, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18-armed Nataraja, striking 81 dance poses, in the first cave. Overlooking the caves is the Agastya Teertha Tank, its banks dotted with a cluster of Bhoothanatha temples.
A tranquil village on the banks of the Malaprabha River, Aihole is acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are hundreds of temples in the villages and fields nearby. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery encircling the sanctum.
The Lad Khan Temple, which is one of the earliest temples, was originally a royal assembly hall and marriage mantapa, chosen as the abode of a Muslim chief, Lad Khan.
The Huchimalli Temple with a sculpture of Lord Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra, the Ravanaphadi, a cave temple celebrating the many forms of Lord Shiva, the Konti temple complex, the Umamaheswari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple, and the two-storied Buddhist temple are other sights worth seeing.
With its beautifully chiselled temples, this UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Malaprabha river, bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukya kings, and was once used as a ceremonial centre where kings were crowned and commemorated. It has a cluster of 10 major temples, each displaying interesting architectural features. At the entrance of the site, you can see the 8th century temples of Jambulinga, Kadasiddeshvara, and Galaganatha with their curvilinear shikaras or spires. The biggest temple, dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, has a huge gateway, several inscriptions, and a profusion of friezes from the epics. Facing the temple is a pavilion containing a massive Nandi.
The Mallikarjuna Temple is similar in design to Virupaksha Temple, but smaller in size. The ornate Papanatha Temple is yet another impressive piece of architecture, with delicately chiseled ceilings and a 16-pillared main hall. The Sangameshwara Temple dating from the reign of King Vijayaditya (696-733 AD) is the earliest temple in this complex.
Once a great centre for the Shaiva cult, Mahakuta is surrounded by hills. The Mahakuteshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is built in the Dravidian style and features a natural spring pond called Vishnu Pushkarni. The temple is surrounded by several small shrines with a wealth of carvings on their walls. There are also a few Shiva temples in Mahakuta dating back to the Chalukyan era
Located on the edge of Bijapur and Bagalkot districts, the backwaters of the Almatti dam host several migratory birds during summer. There is no better view of the Almatti Dam available than from the KSTDC Hotel Mayura Krishna.
The hotel has a bar, restaurant, garden, and free WiFi. There are 12 rooms, 2 suites and 7 cottages available at the property. The hotel provides free private parking and also offers cars for hire to guests in case you want to drive down to Bagalkot for sightseeing.
Badami in Bagalkot is best explored over the course of the day. Apart from the caves, the temple town is also lovely to walk around and experience. Stay in close proximity to the caves at Mayura Chalukya, Badami. This KSTDC property with the option of both AC and Non -AC rooms is a perfect cozy cottage to retreat to post your adventures on the cliff. The hotel also offers a restaurant and beer parlour for the guests.