Historical Places to visit in Karnataka - 02

Badami

Cave-1

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1 Kms

Visited From: Badami Bus Station

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins

Place Location: On The Banks Of Agasthya Lake

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: All four cave temples are situated at the same location and can be visited together.

At a distance of 1 KM from Badami Bus Station, Badami caves are carved out of a mighty red sandstone hill which is on the banks of Agasthya Lake. The first cave is dedicated it Lord Shiva and it represents the Brahmanical style.

Built in 550 AD, the cave has an L-shaped open courtyard in front, an open verandah, a pillar hall and a sanctum excavated into the center of its rear wall.

The cave is famous for its fine sculptures. The most celebrated sculpture of the cave is that of Shiva as Nataraja with 18 arms nd he is seen in 81 dancing postures of Bharatanatya. Another notable sculpture of the cave is Ardhanareeswara, a composite form of Shiva & Parvathi. On the other side is a large Harihara (composite form of Shiva and Vishnu) along with their consorts of Parvathi & Lakshmi. Mahishasura Mardhini is another stunning sculpture of the cave.

The ceiling of the verandah has fine carving of five-hoded Nagaraja, king of snakes, flanked by charming celestial couples. The pillars in the center hall are finely carved in round shape supported by wall brackets. The pillars depict the scenes from marriage of Parvathi. There are carvings of several dream animals on the pillars of verandah.

Timings: 9 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners

Cave-2

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1 Kms

Visited From: Cave 1

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Place Location: On The Banks Of Agasthya Lake

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: All four cave temples are situated at the same location and can be visited together.

At a distance of 1 KM from Badami Bus Station, Cave 2 is situated just few meters above Cave 1 and it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

This is the smallest of four caves at Badami. Lord Vishnu is manifested as a dwarf or Trivikrama in this cave. Lord Vishnu is seen in the position of conquering the Earth by his one foot and ruling the sky with his other foot. The entrance of the cave has two guards or dwarapalakas holding lotus in their hands. Different forms of Lord Vishnu are portrayed here. The incarnations of Lord Vishnu are carved in this cave including Varaha and Lord Krishna riding a Garuda. Another highlight of the cave is the lotus encircled by 16 fishes.

The ceiling has the carvings of Anantasayana, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva & other Ashtadikpalakas. The carving of celestial couple on the ceiling is attractive. Another puzzle like carving on the roof with couples on four sides is interesting. The wall brackets are finely carved with different puranic characters.

Timings: 9 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners

Cave-3

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1 Kms

Visited From: Cave 2

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins

Place Location: On The Banks Of Agasthya Lake

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: All four cave temples are situated at the same location and can be visited together.

At a distance of 1 KM from Badami Bus Station, Cave 3 is situated few more steps above Cave 2. This is the biggest and most attractive part of all four cave temples. Dating back to 578 AD, the cave has paintings and sculptures of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

The cave can be reached through a plight of rock-cut steps and a large stone entrance. The inscriptions in this cave indicate that it was built by Mangalesha. The third cave is about 70 feet wide and it is a fine example of artwork of Badami Chalukyas. The delicate creativity and image astuteness are the prominence of the cave showcasing the ancient art. The art depicting ancient dresses, jewelry, hairstyle and the lifestyle of the glorious past will leave one mesmerize.

The sculpture of Trivikrama, a larger version of the one seen in Cave 2 is seen here. Images of Lord Vishnu manifested in many forms are seen here - Varaha, with Serpent, Vishnu as Narasimha, Vishnu as Trivikrama. The cave has wonderful bracket figures on the pillars. The bracket sculptures are quite large and detailed. The ceiling has finely carved detailed scenes from Hindu mythology.

There are also murals depicting the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati. The murals lost their dazzling color but still show the great artwork of ancient Chalukyas.

Timings: 9 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners

Cave-4

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1 Kms

Visited From: Cave 1

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Place Location: On The Banks Of Agasthya Lake

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: All four cave temples are situated at the same location and can be visited together.

At a distance of 1 KM from Badami Bus Station, Cave 4 is situated towards the east of Cave 3 and it was built in the 8th century. The Cave is dedicated to Jain Thirthankaras.

The main attraction of the cave is the sculpture of Lord Mahavira adoring the shrine along with the images of Padmavathi and other Thirthankaras. Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara is depicted in a sitting posture and Tirthankara Parshwanatha is carved with a serpent at his feet.

The cave is small in size but all the corners of the cave are finely carved with different Thirthankaras of Jain faith. The pillars have fine carvings of different characters and garland shaped designs. The wall brackets and the side walls of Mahavira and Parshwanatha carvings have small carvings of interesting images.

From the location of Cave 4, you can capture a breathtaking view of Agastya Lake, Badami Fort and Badami town.

Timings: 9 AM to 5.30 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Indians, Rs. 100 for Foreigners

Agasthya Lake

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1 Kms

Visited From: Cave 1

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins

Place Location: Near Cave 1

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: Archeological Museum (0.5 Kms), Badami Fort (1 Km) and Boothanatha Temple (1 Km) are close to northern end of Agastya Lake and can be visited together.

At a distance of 1 Kms from Badami Bus Station, The Agastya Lake (Tirtha) is a huge lake located beneath the cave temples. Constructed in 5th century, the lake is considered holy due to the healing powers of its water.

The eastern banks of the Agasthya Lake are dotted with Bhoothanatha temples while the caves temples are located on South West part and the fort on North West end. According to puranas, The Pushkarini was a pleasure tank of God in Vaikunta, and is a beloved of Lakshmidevi and Bhoodevi. The Pushkarini was brought and set here by Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. A bath in it is believed to destroy all sins.

The lake is usually crowded by the village residents for washing cloths and bath. The quality of water is okay but not a good place to swim. The surroundings of the lake provide great views of the hills surrounded by the historical monuments. The Bhoothanatha temple which is emerged into the lake is a beautiful sight with a backdrop of large hillock.

Badami Fort

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1.5 Kms

Visited From: Archaeological Museum

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour

Place Location: On The North Banks Of Agasthya Lake

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 1.5 Kms from Badami Bus Station and behind Badami Museum, Badami Fort is situated on top of a hill on the northern banks of Agasthya Lake, other side of Cave Temples.

The fort can be reached by a plight of steep steps from the museum. There are several decorated gateways build out the rock with carvings. The walkway to the fort was carved out from huge redstone hillock, providing unique setting to the fort. There are several water storage beds enroute the top. There are two temples inside the fort, well known as Lower Shivalaya and Upper Shivalaya. The Lower Shivalaya is a small two story structure on the corner of hill overlooking the Badami town. The Upper Shivalaya is a Dravidian style structure on top of the hill. There are several ruined structured all around the fort.

The fort provides magnificent views of all the monument of Badami, including Caves, Lake, Bhoothanatha temples and other monuments. Entire Badami town can be seen from the fort hill. Though the initial structured were constructed during the Chalukya period, most part of the existing fort on eastern side was build in 18th century by Tipu Sultan who was so impressed with the place and ordered to build a fort. The fort's main attraction is the 16th century Tipu's cannon.

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM.

Boothanatha Temple

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1.5 Kms

Visited From: Archaeological Museum

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins - 1 Hr

Place Location: On The Eastern Banks Of Agasthya Lake

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 1.5 Kms from Badami Bus Station, Boothanatha Temple is a magnificent structure situated on the banks of Agasthya Lake past Badami Museum. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Boothanatha Temple is most striking structure of Badami and prime promotional element of Badami Tourism. The temple is surrounded by water on three sides.

The temple was constructed in early 8th century by Chalukya's. Constructed in Dravidian style, the temple is emerged into the Agastya Lake and becomes inaccessible during peak monsoons when the water level in the lake reach the full capacity. The temple has a pillered mukha mandapa, sabha mandapa and inner sanctum with Shiva image. The main temple is accompained by several small shrines on northern and eastern ends.

The form of Bhoothnath is said to be the combination of the God of Soul, Spirit and the Ghost. The temple all dark inside has an image of Shiva in an angry form. The Bhoothnath

monuments constitute the early modes and phases of South Indian temple architecture.

When you walk further towards south from Boothanatha Temple, there are few more striking monuments carved into the hillock. The first one is a bas-relief of Lord Narasimha, Varaha, Durga, Ganesha, Trimurthies along with several gods carved out from the hill. Further south from here towards the lake has a small stone structure with a wonderfully carved image of Lord Vishnu in sleeping posture. The main carving is executed on the huge rock.

Banashankari Temple

Distance (From Badami): 5 Kms

Visited From: Badami

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto 
Website: NA

Phone No: NA
Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 5 Kms from Badami, Banashankari Temple is located at Cholachagudda. Dedicated to Banashankari Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, it's one of the famous temples in the district.

The original temple was built in 8th century, believed to be by Rashtrakutas, but the present structure traces its origin in the 17th century. This temple represents a combination of

Dravidian & Nagara temple architecture. Haridra Tirtha, a large temple pond with a tall lamp tower built on a three story structure is situated opposite to the entrance of the temple and it's a delight to watch. The entire pond is surrounded by a corridor built with stone.

The Goddess can be seen seated on a growling lion and crushing a demon with her foot. The idol is carved out of a black stone. The Goddess Banashankari is depicted here with eight arms sitting on a roaring lion. The temple features three large lamp polls in the main compound. These lamp polls are lit during special occasions and important festivals.

The annual festival held in Jan/Feb is a major attraction. During the festival, a procession is help around the village with deity riding on chariot.

Timings: 6 AM to 1 PM & 3 PM to 9 PM

Archeological Museum

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1 KmsVisited From: Badami Bus StationTrip Duration (Including Travel): 30 MinsPlace Location: On The North Banks Of Agasthya Lake

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: Boothanatha Temple is about 500 meters further from the Museum which can be walked down.

At a distance of 1 Kms from Badami Bus Station, the Archeological Museum is located at the foothills of Badami Fort on northern banks of Agasthya Lake. Established in 1976, the museum is a treasure of pre-historic artifacts of the region including stone implements, sculptures, architectural parts, inscriptions, etc, dating from 6th to 16th century AD.

At the entrance of Museum, Shiva's bull welcomes the tourists. The museum has four galleries, an open air gallery in the veranda and an open air gallery in front. The galleries house excellent examples of local sculptures; the highlights include the notable Krishna panel, and other panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata & Bhagwad Gita. One of the galleries has a scaled model of a pre-historic cave, copies of faded murals from Cave 3.

Photography is prohibited in the museum. 

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Fridays.

Mallikarjuna Group of Temple

Distance (From Badami Bus Station): 1.5 Kms

Visited From: Archaeological Museum (300 m)

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Place Location: Towards Bhoothanatha Temple From MuseumTransportation Options: Walk/TrekWebsite: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 1.5 Kms from Badami Bus Station, Mallikarjuna Group of Temple is a set of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. These temples are located within an enclosed compound just before Boothanatha Temple.

Built in Phamsana style (stepped pyramid), these temples were assumed to be constructed during Rashtrakutas and Kalyani Chalukyas. The outer walls of the temple are plain rock without any carvings. The tower of inner sanctom is built in typical Rashtrakuta style of architecture. The main shrine has a pillerd mukha madapa, an enclosed madhya mandapa followed by the inner sanctom. The inner walls and pillars are mostly plain.

Several smaller shrines are built to the eastern and nortern sides of the main temple. Most of them are closed for renovation.

Mahakuta Temple

Distance (From Badami): 13 Kms

Visited From: Badami

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 2 Hours

Transportation Options: Cab

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 13 Kms from Badami, Mahakuta Temples are ancient group of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. A beautiful place surrounded by hills, Mahakuta was once a great center of shaiva culture.

The temples were constructed between 6th and 7th centuries by the early kings of the Chalukya dynasty. This main temple was built in the Dravidian style, while several small shrines are seen in Nagara style. There are several small shrines around the main shrine with great carvings on the walls. This place is often called Dakshina Kasi because of its religious importance. 

The temple walls covered with bas relief works and carvings of great artistic expertise. The Chalukya rulers donated a lot of wealth to this temple whenever they win wars against the neighboring kingdoms.

There is also a natural spring pond called Vishnu Pushkarini near the temple. Some of the smaller shrines have wonderful carvings on the outer walls and the pillars inside. The ceiling of one of the temples is nicely carved with images of dream animals.

There are few shops available outside the temple with basic needs. The road from Badami to Mahakuta is not good and you have to be careful with directions.