Steeped in rich history, the picturesque town of Badami is world-famous for its magnificent cave complex. Set amidst a landscape of rust red sandstone cliffs, this historic town was the capital of the powerful Early Chalukya kings, who ruled the Deccan during the 6th-7th centuries AD. Badami derived its name from the legend of Batapi, the demon who was devoured by Agastya the sage.
After their defeat at the hand of the Rashtrakutas, Chalukya king Pulakesi I (535-66) built the new capital at Badami. In 640 CE, Pallavas, who had been defeated by Pulakesi II, captured and pillaged Badami to avenge their defeat. Badami was also in the possession of the Vijayanagar Kings, the Adil Shahis, the Savanur Nawabs, the Marathas, Hyder Ali and finally the British who annexed it to the Bombay Presidency.
Among the rulers who held sway in Badami, King Kirit Barman I (567-598) took the lead in building some splendid temples with his brother Mangalesa (598-610) following suit. The cave temples of Badami came up due to the efforts of the latter. Travel to Badami for a glimpse of these temples. Among the four cave temples, three are Brahmanical temples while the fourth cave is a Jain temple dating back to the 7th century. The cave temples are an integral part of Badami tourism.
Places to See:
Cave Temples
The cave temples figure prominently in the itinerary of tourists descending on Badami. Perched atop a flight of 200 steps, the temple complex consists of four ancient rock-cut caves replete with carved pillars and bracket figures. Of the four temples, three are Brahmanical temples while the fourth one is a Jain cave. The third cave temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, stands out among the lot for its sheer size and sculptural elegance.
Badami Fort
An uneven, steep and winding flight of steps between caves 2 and 3 lead to the imposing Badami fort. Within the ramparts of the fort, nestle a large granary, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall and many other architectural marvels. The fort, whose chief attraction is the Tipu's cannon, also houses a carved temple raised on top of the northern end of the hill.
Agasthya-Tirtha Lake
The 5th century Agastya-Tirtha Lake located beneath the cave temples is considered holy due to the healing powers of the lake water. The eastern banks of the Agasthya-Tirtha Tank are dotted with a cluster of Bhoothanatha temples.
Bhoothanatha and Malegitti Temples
The Bhoothanatha temple houses an 18-armed Shiva, Ganesh, Mahishamardini Durga, Varaha and Nrisingha incarnations of Vishnu. The pillared hallway is ornamented with exquisite artwork. The Malegitti Visalia Temple (late 7th century) is another major attraction of Badami.
