Discover Pattadakal and Aihole Around Badami Caves

Besides visiting the magnificent caves of Badami, tourists can make a excursion trip to the nearby sightseeing destinations that includes :

Aihole :

Aihole located at the distance of 50 kms from Badami, is the site of the first capital of the Chalukyan, who ruled the region from 4th to 6th century. It houses more than 100 temple, half of which are in ruins. The temple known by the name of Lad Khan, dating back to the AD 450, is probably the Aihole's oldest building. It was once used as an assembly hall for the royal marriages. Inside the temple stands the Nandi bull and a small sanctuary containing a shivalingam is next to the back wall.

Another most impressive part of the Aihole is the Durga Temple , built in the 7th century. It is notable for its semicircular apse, which was copied from Buddhists architecture. Other sculptural highlights includes the decoration on the entrance to the mandapa hall way and niche images on the outer walls of the semicircular sanctum. Behind the Durga temple is small museum that contains the best of Chalukyan sculpture work. Other highlights of Aihole's include Gandar, Ladkhan, Kontigudi, and Hucchapaya.

Pattadakal :

Pattadakal is a riverside village located at the distance of 22 km from Badami. It served as the site of Chalukyan coronations between 7th and 8th centuries. Doted with dozen of temple, Pattadakal, is a must visit destination outside Badami. Like the Badami and Aihole, it boosts of the fine Chalukyan architecture. It is one such place where you will find both north and south Indian style of temples. Earliest among the temple sis the Sansameshvara temple, built by king Vijayaditya during the 8 century AD. Dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple is also known as Shri Vijayeshvara.

Two of the southern style temples called Mallikarjuna and Virupaksha are also located here, which were built by ttwo sisters who were successively the queens of Vikramaditys II. Virupaksha is one of the largest temple during that period.

Its interiors depict the scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata, while Mallikarjuns depict the tales based on the life of Shri Krishna. Another must visit temple here is – Papanatha, built in the northern style of architecture. It was built in the 8th century. Outside the walls features the relics from the Ramayana. On the historic tour to Karnataka tourists can also visit Rashtrakutta, located 11 km from the village.

Aparana Chauhan