Badami

Badami

About:
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. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake. Badami Caves: Badami is an interesting place to visit in Karnataka what with its artificial lake, ancient temples, Museum and Hindu and Jain caves carved in the Sandstone hills. The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu.

Location info:
Address:Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a taluk in the Bagalkot District of Karnataka, India.
District:Bagalkot
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Best time to visit: The ideal tome to travel here is September-February.

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History of Badami:
Badami was the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh between the 6th and 8th centuries. It was founded in 540 A.D. by Pulakesi I(535-566 AD), an early ruler of the Chalukyas. His sons Kirthivarman (567-598 AD) and his brother Mangalesha I (598-610 AD) constructed the cave temples. The greatest among them was Pulakeshi II (610-642 AD) who defeated many kings including Pallava king Mahendra Verman I and extended the kingdom.

The rock-cut Badami Cave Temples were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th centuries. The four cave temples represent the secular nature of the rulers then, with tolerance and a religious following that inclines towards Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. cave 1 is devoted to Shiva, and Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated to Vishnu, whereas cave 4 displays reliefs of Jain Tirthankaras. Deep caverns with carved images of the various incarnations of Hindu gods are strewn across the area, under boulders and in the red sandstone. From an architectural and archaeological perspective, they provide critical evidence of the early styles and stages of the southern Indian architecture.

The Pallavas under the king Narasimhavarman I (also called Mamalla Pallava) seized it in 642 A.D. Vikramaditya I of Chalukyas drove back Pallavas in 654 A.D. and led a successful attack on Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas. The Rashtrakutas absorbed karnataka including Badami around 757 AD and the town lost its importance. The later Chalukyas of Kalyani defeated them and were able to keep region from 973 A.D. to 1189 A.D., when it was occupied by the Hoysalas.

Then it passed on to Vijayanagara empire, The Adil Shahis, The Savanur Nawabs, The Marathas, Hyder Ali. The Britishers made it part of the Bombay Presidency.

Interesting things to do:
Shopping: Bijapur is famous for its hand woven Ilkal sarees.Local Food Specialities: Non-vegetarian preparations distinctly Mughlai or Hyderabadi, Milk Sweets.

Interesting things to Visit:
Landmarks in Badami include cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions and sculptures.

* A Buddhist cave in a natural setting that can be entered only by crawling on knees.
* The Bhutanatha temple, a small shrine, facing the lake, constructed in 5th century.
* Badami Fort situated on top of the hill.
* Many Shivalayas including the Malegitti Shivalaya with 7th century origins.
* The Dattatreya temple.
* The Mallikarjuna temple dating back to the 11th century, built on a star shaped plan.
* a Dargah, a dome of an Islamic place of worship on the south fort side.
* Vista points on top of the North Fort for the view of the ancient town below.
* Temple of Banashankari, a Kuldevta (family deity) for many families, is located near Badami.
* Archaeological museum, that has collection of sculptures from Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.

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Badami 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
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