Pattadakal, the capital of the Chalukya dynasty of Southern India, who built the temples in the seventh and eighth centuries. At Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal is a group of fifty breathtaking large and small shrines, each with its own individual style of architecture and decorative scheme.
In the middle of the sixth century, around AD 544, Pulakeshin I instituted the Chalukyan kingdom and his son established Vatapi, identified as Badami, as the capital. The selection of Badami as a capital was a brilliant one for both political and aesthetic reasons. The capital was located on the Malprabha river; following its course (8 kilometers) northwards is Pattadakal, with a complex of temples built on the banks. Further down (13 kilometers away), where the sandstone outcrop of the Malprabha valley re-emerges, is Aihole.
In the middle of the sixth century, around AD 544, Pulakeshin I instituted the Chalukyan kingdom and his son established Vatapi, identified as Badami, as the capital. The selection of Badami as a capital was a brilliant one for both political and aesthetic reasons. The capital was located on the Malprabha river; following its course (8 kilometers) northwards is Pattadakal, with a complex of temples built on the banks. Further down (13 kilometers away), where the sandstone outcrop of the Malprabha valley re-emerges, is Aihole.
Pattadakal - World Heritage site
Pattadakal located in Bijapur district of Karnataka was not only popular for Chalukyan architectural activities but also a holy place for royal coronation, 'Pattadakisuvolal'. Temples constructed here mark the blending of the Rekha, Nagara, Prasada and the Dravida Vimana styles of temple building.
The oldest temple at Pattadakal is Sangamesvara built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (AD 697-733). The other notable temples at Pattadakal are the Kadasiddhesvara, Jambulingeswara both attributed to 7th century A.D. while Galaganatha temple was built a century later in the style of rekha nagara prasada. The Kasivisvesvara temple was the last to be built in early Chalukyan style. The Mallikarjuna temple was constructed by Rani Trilokyamahadevi to celebrate the victory over the Pallavas by Vikramaditya II. She is also credited to have built the Virupaksha temple influenced by the architecture of the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. The Virupaksha temple later served as a model for the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I (757 -783 A.D.) to carve out the great Kailasa at Ellora.
The oldest temple at Pattadakal is Sangamesvara built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (AD 697-733). The other notable temples at Pattadakal are the Kadasiddhesvara, Jambulingeswara both attributed to 7th century A.D. while Galaganatha temple was built a century later in the style of rekha nagara prasada. The Kasivisvesvara temple was the last to be built in early Chalukyan style. The Mallikarjuna temple was constructed by Rani Trilokyamahadevi to celebrate the victory over the Pallavas by Vikramaditya II. She is also credited to have built the Virupaksha temple influenced by the architecture of the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. The Virupaksha temple later served as a model for the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I (757 -783 A.D.) to carve out the great Kailasa at Ellora.
Badami - regal capital of the Chalukyas
Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a taluk in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake.
Landmarks in Badami include cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions and sculptures.
Landmarks in Badami include cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions and sculptures.
- A Buddhist cave in a natural setting that can be entered only by crawling on knees.
- The Bhutanatha temple, a small shrine, facing the lake, constructed in 5th century.
- Badami Fort situated on top of the hill.
- Many Shivalayas including the Malegitti Shivalaya with 7th century origins.
- The Dattatreya temple.
- The Mallikarjuna temple dating back to the 11th century, built on a star shaped plan.
- a Dargah, a dome of an Islamic place of worship on the south fort side.
- Vista points on top of the North Fort for the view of the ancient town below.
- Temple of Banashankari, a Kuldevta (family deity) for many families, is located near Badami.
- Archaeological museum, that has collection of sculptures from Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.
Aihole - Temple complex
Aihole is a temple complex in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It is a very popular tourist spot in north Karnataka. Aihole is to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both.
At Aihole too the rock-cut architectural tradition continues in the Ravana Phadi cave. On the north-eastern side of the stony outcrop is the entrance to this extraordinary cave, which has a linga in the sanctum at the rear end of the hall. Its sculpted walls and side shrines are peopled with large figures, and lovely motifs adorn the pillars and ceiling. A great dancing Shiva appears here (as in Badami), but in this image the gracefulness of his movements are captured by the swirling forms of two great snakes that he holds and in the lovely images of the Sapta Matrikas or Seven (divine) Mothers.
Moving south-west and within a modern enclosure is the domineering form of the so-called Durga Temple. It has an entrance porch, a hall, and a sanctum within. The entire structure is then given an open-colonnaded veranda, which swirls around its rounded, apsidal rear. A hint of a turret or shikhara can be seen on top of the temple, a foretaste and worthy experiment of taller, grander things to come.
At Aihole too the rock-cut architectural tradition continues in the Ravana Phadi cave. On the north-eastern side of the stony outcrop is the entrance to this extraordinary cave, which has a linga in the sanctum at the rear end of the hall. Its sculpted walls and side shrines are peopled with large figures, and lovely motifs adorn the pillars and ceiling. A great dancing Shiva appears here (as in Badami), but in this image the gracefulness of his movements are captured by the swirling forms of two great snakes that he holds and in the lovely images of the Sapta Matrikas or Seven (divine) Mothers.
Moving south-west and within a modern enclosure is the domineering form of the so-called Durga Temple. It has an entrance porch, a hall, and a sanctum within. The entire structure is then given an open-colonnaded veranda, which swirls around its rounded, apsidal rear. A hint of a turret or shikhara can be seen on top of the temple, a foretaste and worthy experiment of taller, grander things to come.
