Cave Temples in Badami

Introduce yourself to the reign of middle ages by visiting the magnificent monuments at Badami. Picturesquely located between two rocky hills, Badami caves are living testimony of brilliance of Indian rock-cut architecture. The city is world famed for its ancient temples and caves, showcasing a fine blend of the South Indian Dravidian and North Indian Nagara style of architecture. The splendid beauty of exquisite carvings and sculptures won't let your eyes blink, they are so impressive.

Cave Temples
The four cave temples including three Hindu temples and one Jain temple are carved out of red sandstone. These majestic temples dates back to 600 and 700 AD and each temple has a hall, sanctum, an open verandas and columns. The delicate carvings of Hindu deities and sculptures are the most impressive features of the cave temples in Badami.

Cave Temple 1
Cave 1 temple is the oldest temple dating back to the 5th century CE. The temple is adorned with gigantic carvings of Shiva in his Nataraja avtar, Ardhanarishvara, who is depicted as half man and half woman and the carving of Hariharan, the left half of this image depicts Vishnu – the preserver and the left, Lord Shiva.

Cave Temple 2
The second cave temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Visitors reaches here through a flight of 64 stairs. The temple houses a beautiful image of Vishnu in his Varaha and Trivikrama incarnations. Scenes from the Puranas and Vishnu on Garuda are carved on the ceilings of the cave temple.

Cave Temple 3
The third rock cut temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built in 578 CE during the reign of Kiritivarma Chalukya. Temple houses carved images of Narasimha and Trivikrama avataras of Vishnu. Exquisite murals depicting the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati are also treasured here.

Cave Temple 4
Built in the 6th century, the fourth Cave temple belongs to Jainism. The temple displays a carving of the Tirthankara Parshavnatha and Mahavira in a sitting posture.

Bhutanatha Temples
These are two lake side temples, dating back to 7th and 11th century AD. The shikaras reflects a fine blend of North Indian and South Indian style of architecture. Bhutanatha temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as Bhutanatha, 'God of Souls'.

Archaeological Museum
Visit the Archaeological museum of Badami, displaying a rich collection of local sculptures. Entrance of the museum is enhanced with a statue of Nandi Bull (Lord Shiva's bull).

How to Reach
Air
The nearest airport is Belgaum, 150 kms away

Rail
Badami is located on the Hubli-Sholapur rail route. Visitors have to board second class passenger trains running between Gadag and Bijapur and get down at Badami Railway station.

Road
Buses ply from Hubli and Bijapur to Badami. Daily buses service is also available from Bangalore to Badami.