Badami Travel Guide
Location : State of
Karnataka
Attractions : Caves, Fort
Area : 10.3sq.km.
Altitude : 176.7m.
Temperature (°C) : Summer: Max. 38, Min. 23 Winter: Max.
29, Min. 15
Best Season : October to March
Badami is a small town of Karnataka,
which was once the erstwhile capital of Chalukyas. The town has been
noted for its several cave temples, carved out of rock in the
sixth-seventh century AD. Badami was the headquarters of the Early
Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka in the 6th - 8th centuries.
Travel to this magnificent town, situated amidst a ravine between two
rocky hills housing the magnificent rock cut cave temples as well as
the Chalukyan style structural temples.
¤ Places to See In Badami
Cave Temples
Badami Cave Temples are group of 4 cave temples, carved out of a
hill opposite Badami fort. of the four, three are Brahmanical, while
the fourth is Jain. Almost 2000 steps have to be climbed to reach the
cave.
These cave temples are just adjacent to the Bhutanatha tank where
Nagamma, Siva & Vishnu shrines can also be seen. The first cave
temple houses the Shiva manifested as the eighteen-armed Nataraja
displaying remarkable 81 dance poses! The biggest and most enhancing
is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the cave
temples is a reservoir dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and
Shiva. Also a must are the Bhutanatha temples that lend their name to
the lake beneath the cave temples.
Badami Fort
Perched on hill top about 2 km. from the town, the fort encompasses
large granary, an underground chamber which must have served as a
treasury or private audience hall, double fortification walls and many
other architectural marvels. The fort also houses a carved temple
raised on top of the northern end of the hill. Malegitti Shivalaya -
one of the oldest temples in the region is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple is constructed out of stone on a summit of a rocky hill.
It's a 4-hour journey from Bijapur and is connected by rail to Gadag,
a convenient stop to get a connecting train to Hospet or Hubli.
Naganath Temple
Naganath Temple is one of the ancient Chalukyan temples dedicated to
Lord Shiva. The temple lies amidst the green forest on the way to
Mahakuta about 10-km from the Badami town, definitely worth a visit
site.
Aihole
 Aihole
is well known for its cluster of magnificent temples constructed
during the reign of Chalukyan rulers, dating from the sixth to the
eighth centuries. The temple lies at a distance of 46 km from Badami.
Serene Lake
Besides a picturesque location the lake flowing near the temple
complex has its medicinal value. Visitors go for a holy dip in to the
lake, according to a popular story, King Kushataraya was cured of
leprosy here.
Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum at Badami is known for some of its ancient
specimens. Shiva's bull, "Nandi" at the entrance of the
museum is its foremost attraction. The museum is nestling near the
reservoir is worthwhile for the intellectuals. Timings: 0900 to 1700
hrs. This museum is closed on Fridays.
Banashankari (5 km.)
Travel to Banashankari, located at a distance of 5 km from
Badami.Banashankari temple is dedicated to goddess Banashankari, a
configuration of goddess Parvati. The temple is highly worshiped by
the weaver community in the town. Built in the Dravidian style, the
image depicts the mighty eight-armed goddess seated on a grumbling
lion.
There is an annual temple festival celebration in Banashankari, the
festival is celebrated with full devotion and enthusiasm. Whole town
is decorated, the streets around the temple are taken over by a huge
fair, marked by color and liveliness and attended by thousands of
devotees.
Mahakuta (14 km.)
Mahakuta is a small town surrounded by hills ones known as a great
center for the Shaiva sect. The place is famous for the Mahakuteshwara
Temple, the holy deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The temple is
constructed in the Dravidian style with magnificent carvings and
sculptures. The temple is surrounded by several small shrines bedecked
by awesome carving on their walls, there is also a natural spring pond
called Vishnu Pushkarni used as a relaxing joint by the visitors.
¤ The Festivities
Badami Town is throng by visitors all the year round due to its
continuos festivals celebration throughout the year. The annual temple
festival held at Banashankari in the month of January-February is
worth visiting, so are the Virupaksha Temple Car Festival and
Mallikarjuna Temple Festival held in Pattadakal during March-April.
¤ Accessibility To Badami
Air: The nearest airport is Belgaum located
192 km from the town. From there one gets direct flights to Mumbai.
Rail: It takes four hours to reach Badami by train Hampi.
One can also reach the town by changing the train at Gadag station.
The town is 4 km from the railway station and one can take an
auto-rickshaw or a horse driven carts.
Road: Badami is well connected by road to all the major places
in the south. Karnataka State Transport Corporation buses are
available from Badami to Aihole, Bangalore, Bagalkot, Belgaum,
Bijapur, Hubli and Pattadakal.
Private taxis and vans are also available to visit or travel in the
town. Tongas- Horse-Cart is another mode of transport easily available
in the city. The important places are - Ailhole -44 km, Bangalore -499
km, Bijapur -163 km, Hubli -128 km, Pattadakal -22 km.
Major Circuits
Major Tour Packages To Maharashtra
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