The majority of individuals like travelling to new locations and discovering their histories and cultures. Borders and distance are no longer obstacles to travel. People from Bharat are now travelling to places like Africa that were thought to be impossible to reach. But the Bharatiya has not been able to adequately understand the historical remains and monuments of Bharat even today. The Badami Cave Temple in Karnataka is one example of such a temple building. It is also the oldest Hindu temple in the Deccan region.
The history of Badami
The cave temple is located in the Bagalkot district of north Karnataka. The cave temples at Badami are actually the remains of the Chalukya dynasty that ruled the region between AD 540 and AD 757. From the outside, it looks like red rock formations, but inside is a beautiful temple. Records indicate that it is about 1400 years old.
According to historical sources, the capital of the Chalukya dynasty was known as Vatapi, Vatapipura, and Vatapinagari. Situated at the exit point of a ravine, embraced by the steep mountains of red sandstone, Badami carries a legacy as intriguing as its geological backdrop.
According to the ‘Puranas’ (Hindu scriptures), the place derived its name from the wicked demon Vatapi. Vatapi, along with his brother Ilvala, had tricked and killed over 9,000 people. So the legendary sage Agastya killed the demon brothers using his powers.
In 540 CE, a king named “Pulakeshi I” founded the Chalukya dynasty. He chose Vatapi (Badami), which was protected on three sides by sandstone cliffs, as his capital. Between the 6th and 8th centuries, the Chalukyas ruled much of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Pulakeshi I’s sons, Kirtivarman and Mangalesha, constructed the famous temples in the Badami Caves.
The Temples in the Badami Caves
The Chalukya Kings, Kirtivarman, and Mangalesha built the temples at the Badami Caves between the sixth and eighth centuries. Based on the order of their development, the cave temples are numbered 1 through 4. But only for the temple located in Cave 3 is the precise date of the building known. King Mangalesha dedicated the temple to Vishnu in Saka 500 (lunar calendar, 578/579 CE), according to an inscription in the temple. It is the earliest firmly-dated Hindu cave temple in India, as evidenced by the inscription written in Halegannada (Old Kannada).
The four cave temples are carved into the steep cliff face, above an artificial lake called Agastya Theertha. The temples are carved into the monolithic stone face of the red sandstone cliff. More than 200 stairs built into the mountain join the cave temples. There are terraces at intervals along the connecting stairs, offering views of the lake below and the town of Badami. Cave 4 honours Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, whereas Caves 1 through 3 are devoted to Hindu deities.
Every Badami Cave temple features a mukhamantapa (verandah) at the entrance, which is held up by brackets and stone columns. There is a maha mantapa (main hall) that is supported by many columns after the mukhamantapa. A shrine housing the presiding deity’s idol, the garbha griha, is accessible from the main hall. The architectural styles of Dravidian and Nagara are used to construct the cave temples. Superb pieces of art and sculpture in the Deccan, Nagara, Vesara, and Dravida styles may also be found in the caverns.
Cave 1:
The first cave temple is dedicated to Nataraja (Lord Shiva). A lifesize 18-handed Nataraja image with striking 81 dance poses welcomes the visitors here.
Cave 2:
This cave temple is surrounded by celestial guardians and dwarf statues. This cave shows sculptures of Lord Vishnu’s avatars. Four ornate pillars with carvings of the mythical lion “Yali” support this temple.
Cave 3:
This is the finest as well as the largest temple in the group. It has large images of Lord Vishnu seated on a coiled serpent, along with other images of the Vaishnava pantheon. As in other caves, every portion of the roof and pillars are carved.
Cave 4:
This cave temple is dedicated to Jainism. It is a small cave with images of Jain Tirthankaras, and the sanctum holds a large sculpture of Lord Mahavira. This temple leads to the fort and the top of the hill.
Places to explore: A visit to Badami is often coupled with exploration of nearby historical sites like Pattadakal (20 km) and Aihole (35 km), creating a comprehensive journey through the region’s architectural and cultural heritage.
How to reach: Badami, situated 450 km from Bengaluru, is accessible via road, rail, and air. Hubballi is the nearest airport (105 km), and the town boasts a well-connected train station and bus service.
Comfortable stays in Badami: KSTDC operates Hotel Mayura Chalukya, and numerous private hotels in Badami town offer comfortable accommodations, ensuring visitors can immerse themselves fully in the historical ambiance of the region.
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