Badami formerly known as Vatapi was the regal capital city of early Chalukyans which displays the marvelous and exotic cave and stone architecture of highest standards. Badami is located in Bagalkot district of Karnataka State of India . Bangalore the state capital is about 500 km away from here. Chalukayans who ruled most of the part of Karnataka and Andhra pradesh in early 6th and 8th centuries developed the Badami city . Pulakesi I one of the earliest ruler of Chalukya Dynasty established this ancient city surrounding Agastya Lake.

Chalukyans were known for there excellent architecture and temple building styles and Badami is one of those place glorifying the rich art and methodologies of the Dynasty. Badami has many rock cut and cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu , these temple are the blend of great symbolic and mystical carving styles.

Badami is a place of great historic importance that attracts tourist here from all over the world. Huge rock cut sculpture of Bramhanical, Buddhist and Jain interest and temples in ancient Dravidian style along the lake make this place a huge attraction of Karnataka and Country too. Various cave temples and their ancient architecture is rare to see anywhere else in India.

Four Caves have been found here which depicts the inclination of Badami Chalukyas to all the religions . Cave1 devoted to Lord Shiva, Cave 2 and 3 dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Cave 3 Dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras.

Historical Importance of Badami

Badami is known for Early Chalukyans who rules here and was the capital of Early Chalukyas in AD 543- 753. They introduced the Vesara style of Architecture also called as Badami Chalukya Architecture. The period of Badami Chalukyas was a glorious era in the history of Indian architecture. The capital of the Chalukyas, Vatapi is situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. Between 500 and 757 CE, Badami Chalukyas established the foundations of cave temple architecture, on the banks of the Malaprabha River. Those styles mainly include Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami. The sites were built out of sandstone cut into enormous blocks from the outcrops in the chains of the Kaladgi hills.

Badami on Google Map

Badami Places to See

Badami is famous for its rock cut cave temples of Ancient times .

• Cave Temple 1– It is assumed to be the oldest of all caves and is made of red stones. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and there is a long hall in the cave with numerous pillars and a square shaped sanctum . Lord Shiva and Parvati are carved in Stone and also Lord Nataraj in his 81 dancing poses.
• Cave Temple 2– This cave is dedicated to Lord Vishnu , cave have long pillars and hall and Lord Vishnu being carved beautifully in the Stones. On the ceiling are engraved Ananthashayana, Bramha, Vishnu, Shiva and Asthadikpalakas.
• Cave Temple 3– Cave 2 dates back to 578 AD as there was an inscription here that records the creation of the shrine by Mangalesha in 578. The cave is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his Incarnation with Huge Statues carved amazingly well in Stones. Paravasudeva, Bhuvaraha, Harihara and Narasimha huge statues are present in the caves. The cave glorifies the culture and clothing of the 6th century.
• Cave Temple 4– Cave 4 id dedicated to Jain Tirthankara of 6th Century old. Lord Mahavira statue is present here in a sitting posture. Scores of Jaina Thirthankara images have been engraved in the inner pillars and walls. In addition to it, there are some idols of Bahubali, Yakshas and Yakshis. Some scholars assign the cave to the 8th century.
• Badami Fort – Bidar Fort is locatede on the east of Bhutanatha Temple opposite to cave temples . Fort have large granaries, a treasury, water tower and many temples of Chalukyas Times.
• Badami Museum & Art Gallery – The museum is located at the foothills of the northern hill containing the northern fort and near the famous Pallava Narasimhavarmman’s inscription. It was established in 1979, as a sculpture shed to collect and preserve explored materials, sculptures, inscriptions, architectural members scattered in and around Badami. It is managed by Archaeological Survey of India.
• Bhutanatha temple– It is group of Temples located along the bank of the Agasythya tank . The temples were built in 5th century. These Temples are built of Sandstones and are dedicated to Bhutanatha. The temple has great architecture and carvings of historic times. There are 2 temples one on east side of the lake, called the Bhutanatha temple and other north-east side of the lake, sometimes called Mallikarjuna group of temples.
• Jambulinga Temple- Located in town of Badami it is one of the oldest trikutachala temple in Karnataka.

Badami Excursions

• Aihole -Located about 44 km from Badami Aihole was the first capital of Chalukyas . It is very famous destination of Kerala and hold great Historical importance . The village has 125 temples divided into 22 groups by the archaeological department. The temples have excellent architecture of ancient times and shows the exotic art and styles of the great Builders Chalukyas.
• Banashankari Temple– Located in Cholachagudd the temple is dedicated to Shakambhari a form of Goddess Parvati. The orignal temple was built by Chalukya King Jagadekamalla I in 630 AD. Temple is built in Dravidian Style.
• Guledgud – It is famous for Yoga Asram which attracts students from all over to learn Yoga. It is located about 23 Km from Badami.
• Pattadakal – It is located about 22 Km from Badami and 10 Km from Aihole is famous for Historic Temple located here . It is losted in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are numerous temples located here built in the reign of Chalukya Kings in Dravidian Style of architecture.
• Lakkundi – Lakkundi is famous for temple ruins of ancient times like Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara temples. At Lakkundi all the temples are made of green schist and the outer walls and entrances are very richly decorated.

How to Reach Badami

Badami s located in Bagalkot District of Karnataka about 500 Km from Bangalore.

By Air– Belagum Airport is located about 143 Km away from here and another major airport is Dabolim Airport located in Vasco Da Gama in Goa . These airport are connected to other cities of India by various flights commuting from here.

By Train– Badami Station is located about 5 Km from here, station is in the Hubli – Sholapur rail route. Bijapur Express from Bangalore or Bangalopre to Hubli By train and than Bus ride from Hubli or Bujapur one can reach here easily.

By Road– Badami is very well connected via roads to other cities of Karnataka and Other states. Hubli and Bijapur are well connected to Badami. Local transport in Badami includes Rickshaws, tongas and city buses. Badami is around 150 km from Hospet which has a decent motor-able road. A car journey would take around 4 hours from Hospet to Badami.A number of buses ply from Dharwad, Gadge, Bijapur and Bagalkot connecting Badami.