Karnataka · 6 destinations & hidden spots
Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal
Carved between 540 and 600 CE under the Early Chalukya dynasty, these four magnificent cliff-side caves represent religious harmony: Cave 1 is dedicated to Shiva (featuring the 18-armed dancing Nataraja), Caves 2 and 3 to Vishnu (including the famous Trivikrama and Varaha reliefs), and Cave 4 to Jain Tirthankaras.
Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal
Jutting into the eastern waters of the tranquil Agastya Lake, the Bhutanatha temple complex blends North Indian and South Indian architectural elements with pyramidal tiered towers. When the lake is full, water laps against the temple plinth, reflecting the golden sandstone cliffs in an unforgettable scene.
Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal
Situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River, Pattadakal served as the ceremonial royal coronation site of the Chalukya kings. A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, it houses 10 major temples including the magnificent 8th-century Virupaksha Temple, built by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate the king's victory over the Pallavas.
Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal
Known as the laboratory of Indian temple architecture, Aihole hosts over 120 stone temples dating from the 5th to 12th century. Its centerpiece is the 8th-century Durga Temple, famous for its rare Buddhist chaitya-inspired apsidal design, open pillared pradakshina verandah, and high-relief carvings of Durga Mahishasuramardini and Narasimha.
Hidden Gem
Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal
Located across Agastya Lake on the northern hill, the Badami Fort guards the ancient gorge. A trek through narrow rock crevices and fortifications leads past Tipu Sultan's granary and 16th-century cannons to the 7th-century Upper Shivalaya temple, rewarding hikers with panoramic vistas of Badami town and the cave cliffs.
Hidden Gem
Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal
Located 5 km from Badami in the sacred Tilakaaranya forest, this venerable shrine honors Goddess Banashankari (incarnation of Parvati). The temple features a vast square pushkarini pond (Haridra Tirtha) enclosed by stone-carved cloistered mantapas on all four sides and a three-tiered lamp tower (Deepa Stambha).
