Badami Caves

    Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a town in the Bagalkot District of Karnataka state. Founded by Pulakesin I, an early ruler of the Chalukyas, the town of Badami is located at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya tirtha water reservoir on three sides.

    Known for its rock-cut cave temples which were sculpted between the 6th-8th centuries AD, this ancient city was once the capital of the Chalukya dynasty. The Bhutanatha temple, a small shrine, facing the 5th century lake stands in serenity on one side. On the side of North Fort are the Upper and Lower Shivalayas, and the Malegitti Shivalaya, possibly with early and late 7th century origins.

top

Cave 1
The earliest of the Badami caves, the first cave was probably carved way back in 578 AD. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this cave houses a magnificent sculpture of the 18-armed Lord Nataraja (Dancing Shiva), resplendent in 81 different Mudras or hand movements. One also comes across sculptures of the deities of Harihara (half-Vishnu, half-Siva), their consorts Lakshmi and Parvati and, and Ardhanarishwar. The square shaped sanctum hollowed in the control back wall enshrines the Shiva-linga.

Cave 2
The presiding deity of the second cave temple of Badami is Lord Vishnu. The Lord is depicted in his various incarnations, prominent among which are the incarnations of Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). The ceiling is endowed with carvings of Vishnu in eternal sleep, Shiva, Brahma and the 8 Dikpals, the presiding deities of the 8 directions.

Cave 3
The grandest among the Badami caves, the third cave is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This 70 feet wide cave boasts of a profusion of sculptures of Vishnu in different avatars, Narasimha (Vishnu as Man-Lion), Varaha, Harihara (Shiva Vishnu) and as Trivikrama. The elegantly decorated cave embodies the sculptural dexterity of ancient craftsmen.

Cave 4
The solitary Jain cave among the lot, the construction of this cave achieved completion 100 years after that of the other three caves. The cave enshrines a number of statues of the Jain Tirthankaras in different postures. While Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is depicted in a sitting posture, Tirthankara Parshwanatha is carved with a serpent at his feet.

topReaching There

top

Varitey of budget hotels available for comfortable stay at Badami.