Temples of Badami Aihole & Pattadakallu

Vatapi founded by Pulakeshi I which is known as Badami was the capital of the Chalukayan Kingdom. The Chalukayas are known for their new architectural style. Some of their master works are seen in Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and other neighboring areas. Their new style of architecture is a combination of two distinct styles - the North Indian, Indo-Aryan Nagara style and the South Indian Dravidian style. You can find many Hindu temples and also few temples representing the Jain and Buddhist. Badami is noted for several temples, some structural and others rock-cut. Since summer is too hot in these places, it is good to visit these places at times other than in summer

Badami

In Badami there are four cave temples carved in Red sandstone hill around the 6th and 7th centuries.

The first is made of red stone and was the first to be curved. It consists of a hall with numerous pillars and a square shaped sanctum hollowed in the control back wall. This cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva is shown here as Nataraja with eighteen arms in 81 dance poses. Shiva waves his arms in vigorous movement, accompanied by son Ganesh and musicians on drums. One foot is on the floor and the other foot is in the sky. Apart from these other carvings such as Ardhanareeswara, Harihara, Ganapati, Shanmukha and Mahishasuramardhini can also be seen in this cave.

A second cave is on the top of the stand stone hill. The third cave is dedicated to Vishnu. The various incarnations of Vishnu like Varaaha & Trivikrama, Vishnu seated on a nagaa, Narasimha, Harihara (Vishnu & Siva) & Krishna There are numerous carvings on the ceiling of the cave and also the carvings on Krishna childhood can also be seen here. The third depicts the mastery in architecture and sculpture while the fourth cave represents the temple of Jains. All the caves are connected by steps and are easily accessible.

Aihole

Historically it is known as "the cradle of Hindu temple architecture". There are more than 100 of temples scattered in the village. All have exquisite, intricate carvings. Aihole stands on the banks of the river Malaprabha. Among the temples to watch here are Hutchimalli temple (Vishnu sitting on the top of cobra), Lad Khan temple, Jain and Buddhist temple

Pattadakallu

Pattadkal was the second capital of the Chalukyas with a complex of temples Here the temples are built in Dravidian style, Nagara style, and the mixture of the two. Patttadakallu is a nearby place to Badami also belongs to the Chalukayan. Among many temples Lokeshwari (or Virupaksha) and Mallikarjuna Temples have magnificient carvings giving the episodes of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagvadgita. Also Kasinatha, Papanatha, Sangamesvara, Virupaksa and Durga Temple are worth watching