Monuments at Pattadakal

The Group of monuments at Pattakadal are excellent specimen of vesara style of Hindu temple building. The architecture of Pattakadal monuments have a harmonious blend of the Dravida Vimana styles and Rekha Nagara Prasada styles. The ancient temples were built in the 7th and 8th century AD during the reign of Chalukya dynasty. Beautiful sculptures adorning the monuments, display the scenes from the two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharta. The walls niches having Lingodbhava, Tripurari, Ardhanarisvara, Trivikrama and Varahavishnu and ceiling panels of dikpalas, navagrahas and dancing Nataraja the rock-cut structures are testimony to the artistic skills as well as the cult worship.

Major Temples at Pattadakal
Sangameswara Temple
Built by Chalukya Vijayaditya Satyasraya between 697 and 733 AD, Sangameswara temple is the oldest of all monuments at Pattadakal. The main vimana of the temple is of three storeys.

Mallikarjuna Temple
The massive structure of Mallikarjuna temple was erected by the wife of Vikaramaditya II, to commemorate the victory of Chalukyas over the Pallavas. Mallikarjuna at Pattadakal is enhanced with a four-storeyed vimana with a round griva and sikhara.

Virupaksha Temple<
Built by Queen of Vikramaditya II in 733 century, Virupaksha temple is a great architectural delight. The splendid charm of massive gateway and structure beautified with numerous sculptures leaves the visitors mesmerized. Several inscriptions are carved on the temple walls.

Jain Temple
This majestic Jain temple was built by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta. The superb architecture is highly influenced by Dravidian style. Get awestruck by beautiful sculptures built by King Amoghavarsha I, in the 9th century AD.

Pattadakal Festival
An annual dance festival, the Chalukya Utsava is celebrated in the month of January or February. The three days of extravaganza displays the rich and vibrant culture of the region. Dance and music are the main elements of the Chalukya Utsava. Hordes of art lovers flock to Pattadakal to feast their eyes at fabulous performance of renowned artists, which bring alive the magic of glorious bygone era.

How to Reach
Air
Bangalore airport is the nearest airport, around 514 km away
Rail
Badami is the nearest railhead from Pattadakal, at a distance of 22 km
Road
Pattadakal is well connected with Bijapur by road. The state highway 14 connects Pattakadal with Badami and Aihole.