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.
Moving onto Photos
Let me start with few photos that might impress you about this place.....
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| Lord Vishnu in Cave Three, Look at the colors on the stones/pillars... Pink/Red/Yellow mixed up .. |
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| View of the Cave in Badami Cave Temples |
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| 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 ! |
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| Zoom to see it clear, Panoramic view of the entire Badami, Cave on right side and Malegeti Shivalaya on Left |
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| View of Mosque and Temples from Badami Cave |
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| View of the Badami Cave Temple |
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| Closer Look at the Bhootnath Temple, Do you see the Upper Temple? |
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| Mallikarjuna Temple Complex |
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| Side view of the Bhootnath Temple |
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| Rudra Thandava of Lord Shiva - Nataraja, Bull and Ganesha are also seen |
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Harihara - Lord Shiva and Parvathi with Bull ! Bhringi is seen on the left side.
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| Lord Adi Sesha or Snake God, Wov, so beautiful ! |
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| 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
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| Goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini slaying the buffalo-demon Mahishasura |
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| Lord Ganesha, Elder Son of Lord Shiva |
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| Lord Subramanya or Karthikeya or Murugan on Peacock, younger son of Lord Shiva |
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| So sharp and intricate, ornate pillars |
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| View from Badamoi cave ! |
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| Notice the colors - Almond (Badami) color ...! |
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| Varaha Avatar and Bhudevi |
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| Wheel of 16 fish spokes in a square frame along with swastikas and flying couples |
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| Vamana Avatar with Eight Arms - Ashtabhuja, One leg on earth and the other on sky |
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| Pit holes on the Almond colored rocky hills in Badami Caves |
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| Narasimha - Half human and Half Lion |
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| Vamana Avatar |
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| Harihara - Shiva and Vishnu |
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| Dragon? |
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| Garuda (Eagle) - Vahana of Lord Vishnu |
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| Look at the pillars and its colors, murals on the ceiling, Wov ! |
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| Lord Karthikeya or Subramanya or Murugan with Valli and Deivanai (two wives) on Peakcock |
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| Lord Vishnu seated on a Serpent ! |
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| Varaha Avatar |
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| Harihara |
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| View of Agastya Tank from Topmost cave - Cave 4 |
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| 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.
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| Jain Caves and Tirthankaras |
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| Parshvanath Tirthankara in Jain Caves |
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| 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?
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| Onion Field of North Karnataka | | | | |
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| Onion Flower and a Honey Bee collecting Nectar from it... !! Yummy Onion Flavor Honey ? |
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| Ground Nut field ! |
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| 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.
