Badami Caves - Sandstone Rock-Cut Temples

 

The Badami Cave Temples are a complex of Hindu and Jain temples located in Badami, a town in the Bagalkot district in northern part of Karnataka, India. Badami was previously known as Vataapi, the capital of the early Chalukya dynasty, which ruled much of Karnataka from the 6th to the 8th century. This place is quite popular for its cave temples that are cut out of sandstone rocks which surrounds the Agastya Lake. Three among the four cave temples are dedicated to deities of Hinduism and one temple is dedicated to Jainism.

 

The first Badami Cave is the oldest and is dedicated to Lord the dancing form of Shiva, popularly known as Nataraja. There more than 80 different forms of Nataraja depicted in this red sandstone cave temple.

 

The second of the Badami Caves is famous for its ceiling carvings. This temple is that of Lord Vishnu, who is depicted in Trivikarma form. Some of the carvings include scenes from the Puranas and Vishnu on Garuda.

 

 

The third of the four rock-cut temples can be reached from the second by a flight of 60 stairs. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, some of the carvings here depict the deity in many forms including Trivikarma, Vamana and the Narsimha. One of the highlights of the third cave temple is the statue of Vishnu sitting on the serpent Adisesha. Murals in the temple depict the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.

 

The fourth temple is devoted to the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira, depicted in the seated posture. It is estimated that this temple was built almost a century after the previous three.  A highlight here is the Tirthankara Parshavnatha carvings with a snake at the feet.

 

 

The cave temples are lasting remnants of a golden age of building styles. Badami is also home to an archaeological museum which houses precious local curios and artifacts that give more insight into the civilization and cultures that thrived here. The Government of India has declared Badami as one of the heritage cities in India.

 

Getting around Badami is quite easy as it is a small town. Early morning or evenings are best for visiting the caves and one can get perfect photography opportunities during these timings. The best way to experience the place is on foot as there are many sights to withhold aside from the iconic and popular ones.

 

Badami caves are located at Badami which is a small town but is well-connected by road and rail network to major cities of India. There is no airport in the town but Belgaum and Hubli are nearest airports from where flights frequently depart and arrive from major Indian cities.