Welcome
to South India and experience the untouched delightful South by invasions throughout
its history. South India and the Indian heritage is more intact here than in other
regions of the country. This is a land of temples, a land of the devoutees.
Badami also has eighteen inscriptionsranging from the sixth to the
sixteenth century. After you have exclaimed over the beautiful sculptures and
admired the exquisite carvings, stop by at the museum set up by the Archaeological
Survey of India.
Rock-cut cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions, sculptures that seem to
come alive under your eyes… Badami has to be seen to be believed. Climb
a flight of steps to reach the ancient caves all hewn out of sand stone on the
precipice of a hill. The capital of the Early Chalukyas, Badami (also
known as Vatapi), is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a Ravine between
two rocky hills.
There are four caves here. The first three belong to the Vedic faith
and the fourth cave is the only Jain temple in Badami. Enter the first
cave temple past Shiva's door keepers and there he is ! The eighteen armed Nataraja
stricking 81 dance poses !
The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu.
Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu Pantheon. Narasimha the half-man
half Lion avatar of Vishnu Hari Hara, the composite god who is half-Shiva and
half-Vishnu. Vishnu Narayana sitting as well as reclining on the snake Shesh
or Ananta (Eternity )… There are also some painting on the ceiling and
wonderful bracket figures on the piers. A little to the east of this shrin,
on top of a cliff is a Jain temple. Here you will find many Jain deities and
a huge figure of Parshwanatha. 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 just beneath the cave temples.
Take a dip in this green tranquil lake. It is said to have healing properties.
According to a popular story, King Kushataraya was cured of leprosy here.
Languages Spoken : Kannada, Hindi, English.
Best Time To Visit : Anytime from October
to February.
How to Reach Badami : By Air : The nearest airport is Belgaum
(150 km). By Rail : Badami is on the Hubli-Sholapur
rail route. By Road : Badami is connected by road with
Hubli (128 km), Bijapur (163 km) and Bangalore (550 km).
