Home » Archaeology In Karnataka  »  Pattadakal

Pattadakal

Pattadakal

About:
Pattadakal: Situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha River, Pattadakkal is a World Heritage Centre. The town has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. Located on the banks of the river Malaprabha, Pattadakal is the capital of the Chalukya rulers. Packed with a dozen or so temples of varying sizes and antiquity, Pattadakal is one of the unique places to see that many temples of the early Chalukyan architecture. Also it is a rare place where the south Indian & north Indian style temples share the same landscape.

Location info:
Address:Pattadakal (134 Km) from Bijapur
District:Pattadakkal
Nearest City:Badami (about 24 kilometer southwest).
Best time to visit: Every year during the first quarter (January or February) Pattadakal celebrates the annual dance festival also called the Chalukya Utsava.

Climate/Weather of Pattadakal:
 

History of Pattadakal:
The oldest of them all is the Sangamesvara Temple built by king Vijayaditya during the 8 century AD. Though not the biggest of the temples in Paddatdakal this temple dedicated to lord Siva is one of the fine examples of the high architectural standards maintained by the Chaluykan architecture. Almost all the temples are carved with dramatic themes from the Hindu mythology. A great majority of them is on lord Siva, especially the dancing aspects. The oldest of them all are the Mallikarjuna and the Virupaksha Temples.

Interesting things to do:
Apart from Pattadakal the venues includes the nearby ancient sites Badami and Aihole too. This three days extravaganza of dance and music attracts hordes of art lovers. The majestic temple backdrops and the performance by renowned artists brings alive the magic of the bygone era.

Interesting things to Visit:
Other major temples in Pattadakal include the Kadasiddheshvara Temple, Jambulings Temple, Galaganatha Temple, Chandrashekara Temple, Papanatha Temple, Kashivishvanatha Temple and the Jain Temple.

Mobile range info:
 

How to reach Pattadakal?

Pattadakal in the north Karnataka is connected by road and rail. The nearest railway station for Pattadakal is Badami (about 24 kilometer southwest).
Nearest Railway Station:Pattadakal in the north Karnataka is connected by road and rail. The nearest railway station for Pattadakal is Badami (about 24 kilometer southwest).
Nearest Airport:Badami (about 24 kilometer southwest).
Road Transport:

Nearest Visiting places of Pattadakal:
* Virupaksha Temple-
The best known is the Virupaksha temple, built by Queen Lokamahadevi in 745 to commemorate her husband's victory (Vikramaditya II) over the Pallavas of Kanchi. The temple closely resembles the Kailashnatha temple in Kanchi which served as a model for this temple. The Virupakhsa temple in turn served as an inspiration for the Kailashnatha temple built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty in Ellora. The Virupaksha temple is rich in sculptures like those of lingodbhava, Nataraja, Ravananugraha and Ugranarasimha.

* Sangameshvara Temple-
Sangameshwara Temple (was called Vijayewara) is oldest temple in Pattadakal, built by King Vijayaditya Satyashraya ( 696-733 AD) is incomplete, yet attractive. The temple is in Dravidian style and it consists of a Sanctum, Inner passage and a Hall. On the outer wall there is Ugranarasimha, Nataraja sculptures.

* Mallikarjuna and Kashivisvanatha Temples-
Kashivisvanatha temple was built by the Rashtrakutas in the 8th century. Mallikarjuna Temple is a smaller version of the Virupaksha temple and was built by Vikramadiyta's second queen Trilokyamahadevi in 745.

* Galganatha temple-
Temple contains a sculpture of Lord Shiva killing the demon Andhakasura, Kadasiddeshvara temple which has a sculpture of Shiva holding a Trident or Trishul in his hands and its twin temple, the Jambulinga Temple are all built in nagara style and resemble the Hucchimalli' Guddi at Aihole.

* Jain Temple located on the Pattadakal-
Badami Road, is built in the Dravidian style by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta. It has some very beautiful sculptures & probably dates from the 9th century and was built by either King Amoghavarsha I or his son Krishna II

* Papanatha temple is built in the vesara style dated to 680. The temple was started in nagara style but later changed to a more balanced Dravidian style. Sculptures here speak of scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharatha. This temple has many similarities with the Navabrahma temples in Alampur, Andhra Pradesh, which were also built by the same dynasty.

* Museum of the Plains and Sculpture gallery is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India on the Bhutanatha temple road.
Other important monuments here are the monolithic stone pillar bearing inscriptions, Naganatha temple, Chandrashekara temple and inscriptions in the Mahakuteshwara temple.

Nearest Petrol Pump:
Badami

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Pattadakal:
 

Things to carry:
 

Tips & Suggestions:
 

Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Badami
Nearest Hospital:Badami
Society/Community Phone Number

Links:

Pattadakal Archeology Nearest Attraction
Aihole Historical
Once the capital of the early Chalukyan dynasty (6th to 8th centuries), Aihole is a picturesque village on the banks of the Malaprabha river. Variously called Ayyavole & Aryapura in the inscriptions, Aihole is historically famous as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture.....more
Badami Historical
Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a taluk in the Bagalkot District of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples.....more
Pattadakal Historical
Pattadakal: Situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha River, Pattadakkal is a World Heritage Centre. The town has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. Located on the banks of the river Malaprabha, Pattadakal is the capital of the Chalukya rulers.....more