Badami is a town in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. Originally known as ‘Vatapi,’ it served as the capital of the Badami Chalukya dynasty from CE 540 to 757. At the height of their power, this dynasty reigned over Karnataka and the majority of Andhra Pradesh. Today, the town is known for its historical monuments carved out of red sandstone. They include many interesting structures and carvings, mostly of Gods, and exhibit the immense creativity and ingenuity of people from the early centuries. Find out more about them with our Badami sightseeing guide.
Table of Contents
ToggleMust-Visit Places On Your Badami Sightseeing Tour:
1. Badami Cave Temple
2. Agastya Lake
3. Bhutanatha temples
4. Akka Tangi Falls
5. Archaeological Museum
6. Badami Shivalaya
1. Badami Cave Temples
This is a complex of caves inside a cliff. These caves contain Hindu and Jain temples and are one of the oldest examples of grand Indian rock-cut architecture. Yes, builders carved the entire complex out of red sandstone! There are a total of 6 caves here. Four of these caves are numbered and have been thoroughly studied.
The other two caves were discovered much later and they are equally interesting, but not a lot of concrete information is discovered about them. All of the caves feature intricately carved figures on their walls and pillars. There is a different kind of peace in them. The insides of the caves feel disconnected from the world and it is as if time hasn’t passed here for several centuries.
Cave 1: It has sculptures of many Hindu Gods, but the most prominent is of Shiva. Considered the supreme god in Hinduism, Shiva is known to manifest on earth in various avatars. This cave shows him in his Natraja form performing the Tandava dance.
Cave 2: It is dedicated to lord Vishnu and his avatars, Vamana and Varaha. Vishnu is also one of the supreme gods. Scholars believe builders created this cave in the late 6th or early 7th century.
Cave 3: This is the biggest cave in this complex and even this one is dedicated to Vishnu and his forms. You will find huge sculptures of Vasudeva, Harihara, Anantasayana, Narasimha, Varaha, and Trivikrama. This is the only cave whose exact date of inauguration was found- 1st November 578!
Cave 4: This one is all laden with highly respected Jain figures- Mahavira, Parshvanatha and Bahubali. Tirthankaras are also present here. Though researchers could not confirm its creation date, studies suggest it could date back to the 7th, 8th, 11th, or 12th century.
These cave temples along with the temples from the nearby villages were some of the oldest Hindu temples in India. The design and architecture of these temples influenced the construction of many others across the country in later years.
2. Agastya Lake
Next to the cave temples and surrounded by the splendid red hills of Badami, lies Agastya, a huge man-made lake. People believe that this lake formed in the 5th century, and its water holds holy powers that can heal people and wash away their sins. We don’t know how magical this water really is, but we know that the lake looks enchanting. The famous ancient Bhutanatha group of temples is next to the lake.
There is a legendary tale that says once there were two demons, Vatapi and Ilvala. Vatapi had the power to become a goat which Iivala would cook and feed to their enemy. While feeding your enemy a delicious meal of mutton doesn’t sound diabolical, Vatapi’s other half of the ploy was to form again as himself inside his enemy’s stomach, killing them gruesomely in the process. This is so dark, the writer of Game Of Thrones would love it.
The two demons tried to kill the great powerful sage Agastya, but ingestion and digestion were two of his many superpowers. While Vatapi was inside Agastya’s stomach, he was unable to form again and died. Legends say that Agastya defeated the demon in Badami, which is why they named it the Agastya Lake.
3. Bhutanatha temples
A collection of ancient temples sits on the eastern corner of Agastya Lake, known as the Bhutanatha main group or East Bhutanatha group temples. These temples have provided a spiritual haven to visitors for centuries. Builders constructed them in the 7th century, with later modifications. Exploring these historical monuments in Badami might feel like living the life of Indiana Jones, but don’t worry—no booby traps here. You will, however, be captivated by the charm of this structure.
The temples use Dravida architecture, which flourished in South India, and builders crafted them from striking red sandstone, the same material used for the cave temples. While most of the Bhutanatha temples honor Lord Shiva’s avatar, Bhutanatha, you will also find carvings of Jain gods and Lord Vishnu’s avatars.
A similar set of temples sits on the northern back side of Agastya Lake, known as the Mallikarjuna or North Bhutanatha temples. Builders created them between the 11th and 12th centuries using Nagara architecture. Like the others, these temples honor Shiva and Vishnu.
4. Akka Tangi Falls
Badami is all about historical monuments and holy sites, so this will feel like an unexpected entry on your itinerary. But it will be a fun experience and it’s not very far from Agastya Lake. The Akka Tangi Falls begin at the top of a towering red hill and cascade into a pond surrounded by lush greenery. It’s a sheer delight to watch it and it’s even better to stand underneath it. But you have to be really lucky to enjoy Akka Tangi because this waterfall only occurs during heavy rains.
5. Archaeological Museum
Badami was much more than a holy site with a rich collection of temples. The Badami Chalukya dynasty ruled it as their capital from 540 to 757. This made the region a treasure trove of ancient items. The Badami Archaeological Museum preserves and exhibits many of these items. The collection includes sculptures, inscriptions, stone tools, and more, dating from the 6th to the 16th century. Visitors can explore these items across four galleries and an open-air gallery.
Some of the historically significant items you will see here are sculptures of the lord Shiva in his multiple forms and sculptures of Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesh. This museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day except Friday.
6. Badami Shivalaya
Three Shivalayas (temples dedicated to Lord Shiva) sit near the Badami caves.
Upper Shivalaya: It is built on the tall Northern hill of Badami from where you can see the Agastya lake, the town, and its neighboring areas. The temple honors Lord Vishnu, and its walls display carvings of scenes from the epic tale of the Ramayana.
Lower Shivalaya: This temple is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha and sadly, majority of this temple was not able to survive the tides of time. Only a towered sanctuary remains now, but it is more than enough to satisfy its visitors.
Malegitti Shivalaya Fort And Temple: Just like every other temple here, this one is also made of red sandstone. But what makes it unique is that it is the oldest surviving structure which is an example of the Chalukya and Dravida style of architecture. This temple features a Shiv linga and also sculptures of Surya, the sun god. Located on a large boulder in the northern part of Badami, it offers stunning views of the town.
How to Reach Badami:
- By Air: The nearest airports are Hubli Airport (approximately 99 km away) and Belagavi Airport (around 127 km away).
- By Train: Badami Railway Station is the closest, situated just 5 km from the town.
- By Bus: The Badami Bus Stop is conveniently located about 950 meters from the town center.
Summing Up
Badami is a place stuck in limbo. All of its sculptures, carvings, and caves are beautiful beyond expectations. You can’t help but wonder what this place would have looked like during its glorious days. It also shows us how far we have come and how much has changed in all these centuries. Visiting this site is a surreal experience that everyone should have at least once.
FAQs
How Many Days Do You Need In Badami?
As all the attractions are close to each other one day will be enough to cover Badami.
Which Is The Best Time To Visit Badami?
October to March, because the temperature will be on the colder side and your trip will be more comfortable. The rainy season is alright too, but it could create some issues. Avoid making this trip during summer as the heat might be too much to handle.
Who Is The First King Of Badami?
The first sovereign king of Badami was Pulakeshin I. He was from the Chalukya dynasty and his reign lasted from the year 540 to 567.
What Can You Buy In Badami?
It is a great place to shop for handicrafts made from sandalwood and rosewood.
Is Hampi And Badami Same?
They are not the same. Hampi is in the Vijayanagara district and Badami is in the Bagalkot district. You will have to travel 144 km from Badami to reach Hampi.
Which God Is There In Badami?
Lord Shiva is the focus of most temples in Badami. But you will also find temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and one temple of Ganesh. Some of the temples also have sculptures of Jain deities.
What Are The Most Popular Hotels In Badami?
Krishna Heritage, Clarks Inn Badami and Hotel Badami Court are some of the popular hotels in Badami.