Badami Caves in Bagalkot District of Karnataka State - How to Reach & Timings

Badami Caves in Bagalkot District of Karnataka State - How to Reach & Timings: Badami, which is 23 kilometres from Pattadakal, is a significant location in Karnataka's historical history. Badami is charmingly tucked away between two rocky hills at the entrance of a valley. The stunning sculptures and sandstone cliffs of Badami evoke several historical tales. A short distance distant are four rock-cut caverns decorated with old carved pillars and bracket figures carved from red sandstone. The Agastya Theertha Lake, whose shores are lined with a number of Bhutanatha Temples, is visible from the caverns. The Bhutanatha Temple, which honours Shiva in his role as the deity of souls, spirits, and ghosts, was built in the 7th century; the outside mantapa was constructed in the 11th century, at the end of the Kalyani Chalukyan period. The greatest time to view the caverns is just before sunset, when the sandstone's rust-red hue is captured by the setting light. Visits to Badami and Aihole are combined with visits to Pattadakal.

Badami Caves

Cave 1:  The first temple in the Badami caves is for Nataraja (Lord Shiva). A life-size statue of Nataraja with 18 hands and 81 dance poses welcomes people to this place.

Cave 2: This Badami cave temple has statues of dwarfs and guardians from the heavens on either side. Several of Lord Vishnu's incarnations are shown in this cave. This temple is held up by four pillars with carvings of the mythical lion Yali.

Cave 3: This one is the best and biggest of the group. It has huge pictures of Lord Vishnu sitting on a snake's coil and other gods from the Vaishnava pantheon. As in other caves, the roof and pillars are carved right down to the last inch.

Cave 4: This cave temple is for the Jain religion. A large statue of Lord Mahavira is in the sanctum of a small cave with pictures of the Jain Tirthankaras. From this temple, you can get to the top of the hill and the fort.

 
On the north side of Agastya Theertha Lake and on the other side of the Cave Temples are a number of beautiful temples and carvings that can be reached by a difficult climb through a rocky chasm and a series of fortified gateways. Some friezes and sculptures in the Upper Shivalaya Temple still show stories about Lord Krishna. The Malegatti Shivalaya, which is perched on a rock, is an example of the old southern style of building. Badami used to be called Vatapi, and it was the capital city of the Badami Chalukyas at that time.

Temple Timings : 9.00 AM and 7.00 PM.

 

How To Reach Badami Caves

Badami is 450 km from Bengaluru. Hubballi is the airport closest to us (105 km). Badami is easy to get to from Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka by train, bus, and road.

 

Badami Caves in Bagalkot District of Karnataka State