Badami-Caves

 Badami is famous for its caves knows as ‘ Badami caves’. Badami [ಬಾದಾಮಿ] is a city in Bagalkot district of Karnataka State. Badami is located in the northern part of Karnataka State in INDIA. Badami is one of the main tourist attractions of Karnataka.  Travel to this beautiful town, situated between the rocky hills housing the fantastic rock-cut cave temples and the Chalukyas style structural temples. The Badami was formerly known as Vatapi. Vatapi was the capital of ‘Badami Chalukya’s’. Badami got focus under the HRIDAY scheme. Badami was one of the twelve heritage cities selected for the HRIDAY scheme.

Badami (Vatapi) was the capital of the Chalukyas, who ruled in the 6th – 8th centuries. It has been famous for its several cave temples. Group of four cave temples has been carved out of the hill opposite Badami fort. Badami is famous for its four caves which are carved out of red sandstone on the side of the hill. The Badami Cave Temples are composed of four caves, all carved out of the sandstone on a hill face in the late 6th century. The four caves are simple in style. The entrance is a verandah with stone columns and brackets, a unique feature of these caves, leading to a columned mandapa and then to the small square temple cut deep into the cave.The temple caves are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one to Lord Shiva and the fourth is a Jain temple. The first three are devoted to the Vedic assurance and the fourth cave is the only Jain temple . What makes these cave temples extraordinary, are the large number of fine carvings and sculptures. One of the many masterpieces to be found in these caves is the, 18-armed Natyaraja (Shiva) who if observed closely, strikes 81 poses.We can also see beautiful paintings, bhoothanath temple complex and prasannavenkatadasara katte.

Agastya Theertha near Badami Caves :

The Lake Agastya (Agastya Tirtha) is beneath the cave temples of Badami. Lake Agastya (Agastya Theertha) is about 5th century old. The Bhootnath temples on the eastern side of Lake Agastya-Tirtha is the beautiful view when standing in the other direction. Water is sometimes empty in the summer. The lake looks like a vast play ground. Standing in the middle of the lake and looking around you can see the Badami Caves, Bhutanatha Temple and the stone towers. During the rainy season, the waterfall that flows over the caves makes the onlookers happy.

Badami Fort

On the peak of the hill is the fort with the Upper and Lower Shivalayas. The Upper Shivalaya, constructed by Pulakesi II, a devotee of Lord Vishnu is marked by sculpted tales from mythology on its outer walls. The Lower Shivalaya was raised to Lord Ganesh. To its north a 16th century cannon looks down on the township. The watch tower, a slight further on, is supposed to date to the 14th century.The fort also houses a carved temple raised on top of the northern end of the hill. Malegitti Shivalaya – one of the oldest temples in the area is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is constructed out of stone on a apex of a rocky hill.

The Archeological Museum

The archeological museum has  some of the finest examples of sculpture collected locally is worth a visit.Archaeological museum, that has collection of sculptures from Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.he museum is located at the foothills of the northern hill containing the northern fort and near the famous Pallava Narasimhavarmman’s inscription.
The museum has few galleries and one open gallery in the veranda and an open air gallery in front. The museum has sculptures of Shiva, Ganapati and Vishnu etc
Also we can see hero stones (Veeragallu ),inscriptions, carved stones etc
Operating Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on – Friday
Entrance Fee :
Rs. 10/- per head
(Children up to 15 years free)
Things To Do In Badami

• Visit Cave temples,
• Visit Agastya Theertha,
• Other Temples,
• ASI Museum,
• Rock Climbing,
• Shidlaphadi cave
• Banashankari Temple,
• Visit other places

Dont Miss Jawar Roti Meals :

You can taste the traditional meal that includes Jawar Roti , Vegetable curry (palya), Dal curry, Chutnies (powder prepared using gram,chilly and spices), White Rice, Sambar, Pickle, Curd and Butter Milk.  Jawar roti meals includes less oil and its good for health.

Time To Visit Badami

You can visit Badami any time in the year.
The best time to visit is : form Months between October and February.It will too hot in summer i.e. from March to May.

Commutation within Badami

Auto rickshaws are the best option to commute within Badami.All the places are can reached in few minutes.
Also you can go by walk to some places with observing the people and life style in Badami.
You can also check for Tangas and bicycle on rent to roam.

 General Information:

Badami STD Code : 08357
Badami PIN Code : 587201
Badada town website :http://www.badamitown.mrc.gov.in/