Showing posts with label Badami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Badami. Show all posts

April 29, 2016

Badami Color of Almond


About Badami and history

Known as Vatapi those days, this is located in North Karnataka near Hampi. This is the capital of Chalukyas and there are many rock-cut cave temples. During 6th and 8th centuries, Chalukyas ruled Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and this rock-cut cave temples were also sculpted during this period.

There are four cave temples and Cave 1 devoted to Lord Shiva, Cave 2 and 3 are for Lord Vishnu and Cave 4 is devoted to Jain Tirthankaras. In Tamil Nadu near Thanjavur there is a temple "Uthrapathiswaraswamy Temple" where Vatapi Ganapathi idol is installed. This is brought from Badami by Pallavas.

Best time to visit and photography

Except during the summer which is from April to June, you may visit any time of the year. If you get a chance to visit this place right after rains or during rains i.e. August/September, you will see a fantastic scenery where there will be water falls from the hills behind the Bhootnath temple and the water joins the Agastya lake.

If you like photography, then this is perfect place. Many photography tours are arranged here. Late in evening when the sun is shining on the Agastya lake and on Bhootnath temple, it is amazing. Best place for Landscape photography and for architecture photography.


Stay options and Food options

There are few good options. Heritage resort is a good option with independent bungalow type and good food (only veg). Refer my review on tripadvisor. There is also Clarks Inn and Badami court. But I suggest you to read the reviews and decide.

Reaching Badami options

Train: Gadag junction is the nearest(70kms) and many trains from Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Bijapur and Solapur. Solapur express from Bangalore, Rani Chennamma express from Bangalore, Kachegoda express from Yeshwantpur(Bangalore) are options. 

Bus: From Bangalore there are buses direct to Badami and starts at 7PM in evening and reaches by 6:30 or 7AM morning. 

Driving: Time to time the road conditions changes, so use Google and also check with friends. It took around 8 hours when were are coming back to Bangalore from Badami.  We have used Google map. 

Places to see in Badami

You need atleast 4 to 5 hours to visit all the places below. (except Sidlapadi cave)

1. Agastya Lake
2. Bhootnat Temple
3. Badami Archaeological Museum
4. Badami Caves
5. Jambulinga and Virupaksha Temples
6. Malegitti Shivalaya - is on top of a sandstone hill
7. Upper and Lower Shivalayas - Can be reached from behind the museum.
8. Sidlapadi cave - Ask locals for directions, there is a prehistoric cave. If you happen to visit in early morning the sun light enters the it looks very beautiful. Good for photography. A must visit. But don't visit alone, take locals or guide along and be cautious.

Few years ago, one or two polished stone axes belonging to Neolithic in the Chalcolithic cultural stage (Circa 1700 to 800 BCE) were traced near the southeastern fringe of the Bachangudda. Also found were Neolithic pottery, chert (a semi precious stone) and microliths in a unique rock shelter locally known as "Sidla Phadi" which is 5Kms from Badami.


Tips to visit places in Badami

Start from the place where you can park your vehicle or from Mosque. If you are a photographer and want to take great photos then, I suggest you visit this early in morning or late in evening. 

First start with the Museum, Malegitti Shivalaya (top of the hill). You can also buy the ASI guide on Badami at museum (Archaeological Survey of India). After this walk further and visit Mallikarjuna Temple complex and head to Bhootnath Temple. You will walk around the Agastya lake to see all the places. After visiting the Bhootnath temple, come back to Mosque and head to the actual Badami Caves. Start visiting from Cave 1 till Cave 4. From the top cave, check the beauty of the Agastya Tank and Bhootnath Temple. 

It takes about 2 - 2.5 hours to see all the above places.

Jambulinga and Virupaksha Temples are located off the main road and are built on 8th century.

Nearby Places  and my Blogposts (refer my other Blogs which has lots of photos)

 

Note: Refer my Hampi blog which has the details on planning all these places in 4 days. Click the images or the place name title to read the respective blog.


Hampi Sandur
http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/hampi-and-nearby-places.html http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/sandur-kumaraswamy-temple-and-shiva.html
Aihole Pattadakal
http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/aihole-historical-temples.html http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/pattadakal-historical-temples.html
Banashankari, Mahakuta, Kudalasangama
http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/banashankari-mahakuta-kudalasangama.html


Moving onto Photos


Let me start with few photos that might impress you about this place.....

Badami Cave Temple Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu in Cave Three, Look at the colors on the stones/pillars... Pink/Red/Yellow mixed up ..

Badami Cave Temple Cave
View of the Cave in Badami Cave Temples
Badami Agastya Lake and Bhootnat Temple
Wonderful scenery, Behind the temple you see a rocky hill right, in Aug/Sep you can see a waterfall, it will be an amazing sight !

Badami Agastya Lake and Bhootnat Temple Panorama
Zoom to see it clear, Panoramic view of the entire Badami, Cave on right side and Malegeti Shivalaya on Left

Badami Mosque and Temples
View of Mosque and Temples from Badami Cave

Badami Cave Temple View
View of the Badami Cave Temple

Badami Agastya Lake and Bhottnat Temple
Closer Look at the Bhootnath Temple, Do you see the Upper Temple?

Badami Mallikarjuna Temple
Mallikarjuna Temple Complex

Badami Bhuthanatha Temple Side View
Side view of the Bhootnath Temple

Badami Cave Lord Shiva
Rudra Thandava of Lord Shiva - Nataraja, Bull and Ganesha are also seen

Badami Cave Lord Shiva
Harihara - Lord Shiva and Parvathi with Bull ! Bhringi is seen on the left side.

Note: To know about the story of Bhringi, read Wiki here.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhringi

Badami Cave Temple Vishnu in Cave Ceiling
Lord Adi Sesha or Snake God, Wov, so beautiful !

Badami Cave Lord Shiva
Harihara - Combination of Shiva and Vishnu. Shiva in left half of the body with Parvathi on left side and Vishnu on right half with Lakshmi on right side. A Master piece of art work .

Note: Harihara is the fused representation of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) from the Hindu tradition. Also known as Shankaranarayana ("Shankara" is Shiva, and "Narayana" is Vishnu), Harihara is thus revered by both Vaishnavites and Shaivites as a form of the Supreme God.Notice the snake on the left hand which is Shiva (left hald of the body) and Conch on right hand which is Vishnu (right half of the body). Nandi Deva is seen on left side between Parvathi and Shiva. Read Wiki for more details here .... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harihara

Badami Cave Goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini
Goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini slaying the buffalo-demon Mahishasura

Badami Cave Temple Ganesha
Lord Ganesha, Elder Son of Lord Shiva

Badami Cave Temple Subramanya
Lord Subramanya or Karthikeya or Murugan on Peacock, younger son of Lord Shiva

Badami Cave Temple Ornate Pillars
So sharp and intricate, ornate pillars

Badami Cave Temple Pillars

Badami View from Cave Temple
View from Badamoi cave !
Badami Cave Temple Colors of Rocks
Notice the colors - Almond (Badami) color ...!

Badami Caves Varaha Avatar
Varaha Avatar and Bhudevi 

Badami Caves Fish spokes wheel
Wheel of 16 fish spokes in a square frame along with swastikas and flying couples

Badami Caves Vamana Avatar
Vamana Avatar with Eight Arms - Ashtabhuja, One leg on earth and the other on sky

Badami Caves Pit holes
Pit holes on the Almond colored rocky hills in Badami Caves

Badami Caves Narasimha Avatar
Narasimha - Half human and Half Lion

Badami Caves Vamana Avatar
Vamana Avatar

Badami Caves Harihara
Harihara - Shiva and Vishnu

Badami Caves Dragon
Dragon?

Badami Caves Garuda
Garuda (Eagle) - Vahana of Lord Vishnu

Badami Caves Lord Vishnu Avatar
Look at the pillars and its colors, murals on the ceiling, Wov !

Badami Caves Lord Subramanya
Lord Karthikeya or Subramanya or Murugan with Valli and Deivanai (two wives) on Peakcock 

Badami Caves Lord Vishnu Avatar
Lord Vishnu seated on a Serpent !

Badami Caves Varaha Avatar
Varaha Avatar

Badami Caves Harihara
Harihara

Badami Agastya Tank View
View of Agastya Tank from Topmost cave - Cave 4

Badami Cave Tree on Rocks
Tree can grow on Rocks, yes no need of soil and water (moisture in air enough) !
Note: Refer my blog on "Tree on Rocks" and "Tree on Trees" for similar photos and more details/observations.

Badami Cave Tirthankaras
Jain Caves and Tirthankaras

Badami Cave Parshvanath Tirthankara
Parshvanath Tirthankara in Jain Caves

Badami Cave Tirthankaras
See the changing colors on the rock - At Jain caves - Tirthankara

Fields of North Karnataka

While driving through the rural areas, we also saw Onion fields and Groundnut fields. Have you ever seen an Onion flower and a Honeybee collecting nectar from there? See below. How yummy it will be - Onion flavored honey?

Onion Field in North Karnataka
Onion Field of North Karnataka

Onion Flower and a Honey Bee in North Karnataka
Onion Flower and a Honey Bee collecting Nectar from it... !! Yummy Onion Flavor Honey ?

Ground Nut field in North Karnataka
Ground Nut field !

Ground Nut field of North Karnataka
Now do you see the Ground Nut ?

Hope you liked this Blog post, Dont forget to share with your friends and add your comments below. Thank you.  Read my other Blogs on Hampi, Aihole, Pattadakal....etc all. 

Hampi and all Nearby places - Click here to read

Sandur - Click here to read 

Patadakal - Click here to read 

Aihole - Click here to read 

Banashankari, Mahakuta, Kudalasangama - Click here to read