The people of North Karnataka feel that, in comparison to South Karnataka, the government is neglecting their region, even though there are several historical monuments and significance. Many significant tourist destinations are not properly preserved (perhaps because of a lack of resources), and a few, like Hampi, are deserted. Not simply from the perspective of tourism but also in the fields of employment and education. It isn’t easy to locate any MNCs in the North Karnataka region. Unlike Bangalore, Mysore, and a few other areas of Karnataka. This may explain why the bulk of residents of this region move to South Karnataka for employment and educational opportunities.
Keeping these things aside, one such heritage site of North Karnataka, which is less known to the world, is “Badami Cave Temples or Badami Caves.” Badami is a Taluka place in the Bagalkot district of North Karnataka, around 550 Km from the capital city – Bangalore. These are called Cave Temples because they are built or carved in huge red sandstones in the form of caves. Can you imagine a single rock-cut building or cave as huge as the multi-story apartments of modern times? Well, that’s the specialty of Badami Cave Temples – also called Menabasadi.
History and Architecture of Badami Caves Temple:
The Badami cave temples take you back to the 6th – 8th century when the Chalukya Dynasty ruled most of the Karnataka region. Some of the earliest known examples of Hindu temples in the Deccan region can be found in the Badami cave temples. Badami Cave temples are a great example of Indian rock-cut architecture, especially Chalukya architecture. For those who don’t know what rock-cut architecture is, it’s a form of art that creates a structure by carving natural solid rocks. Other examples of rock-cut architecture in India are – Barabar Caves, Varaha cave temple, Belum caves, Udaygiri caves, Ajanta & Ellora caves, and many others.
The exact date of these Badami cave temples’ construction is unknown. However, in Cave 3 (one of the four caves complex), an old inscription is found, which indicates the donation of the Vishnu shrine by king Mangalesha back in 578/579 CE. These rock cave temples’ script, which was written in the ancient Kannada language, allowed for their dating to the sixth century. The cave is now India’s oldest firmly-dated Hindu cave temple.
Badami Cave Temples – An UNESCO designated World Heritage Site Candidate:
Badami, known as “Vatapi, Vatapinagari, Vatapipura, and Agastya Tirtha” in ancient times, was the capital of the Chalukya Dynasty. Because of its historical importance and the great Chalukya architectural style, The Badami Caves complex is a part of the Malaprabha river valley’s “Evolution of Temple Building – Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal,” a candidate for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. This area is regarded as a cradle of temple architecture that served as a model for later Hindu temples.
Badami Cave Temples Complex:
The Badami Caves temple is a complex of four caves – Cave 1, Cave 2, Cave 3, and Cave 4. In order of their creation, the numbering of 1 through 4 is done. Each of these caves has great planning back in those days. They comprise a Mukha Mantapa, called a Verandah with an entrance. They were followed by the main hall, called “Maha mandapa,” supported by rock brackets and columns. And then, a square-shaped Sanctum or a shrine called “Garba Gudi” is carved deep inside the cave. These caves are interconnected by steep rock steps, which also take to the terraces overlooking the lake and Badami city.
Cave 1 – The Shaivite cave
Cave 1 in the Badami cave temples is the Shaivite cave, dedicated mainly to the lord Shiva. It is located 18 m from the group level and has a five-columned Verandah (Mukha Mantapa) sculpted with flower garlands, foliage, and jewelry. The interior measurement of the verandah is 70 feet (21 m) by 65 feet (20 m).
Some of the main sculptures or carvings of Cave 1 are:
Nataraja Carving – This 5 feet tall, 18-armed Nataraja Carving is the main attraction of Cave 1, symbolizing the different dance positions.
Mahisasura Mardini Carving – Next to the Nataraja carving, there presents a Chaturbhuja (four hands) Mahishashura Mardhini carving, depicting the Mahishashura damana (killing the demon Mahishashura) by Goddess Durga.
Other important carvings in Cave 1 are the Harihara carving – A sculpture of Half Shiva, Half Vishnu) and the Ardhanareshwara Carving – a focused image of Lord Shiva and his companion Devi Parvati. A serpentine theme and various carved sculptures decorate the ceiling.
Cave 2 – The Vaishnavite Cave
Climbing the 65 rock steps from cave 1 will bring you to Cave 2, which is east of cave 1 and faces north. Lord Vishnu is the primary deity of this cave. Four square pillars with carvings of the monolithic stone face divide the porch that serves as the entrance to the shelter. The pillars include friezes of ganas (mythical dwarfs) with varying facial expressions as decorative carvings. The panels of Trivikrama and Bhuvaraha are among the Lord Vishnu avatars present in this cave. The ceilings have carvings of Anantasayana, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and other Ashtadikpalas.
Cave 3 – Biggest of the 4 Caves
The biggest, oldest, and finest of all the 4 caves is cave 4. Taking 64 steps from Cave 2 will bring you to cave 3. Along with other representations of the Vaishnava pantheon, it contains enormous images of Lord Vishnu perched on a coiling serpent. Every square inch of the roof and pillars has engravings, much like in other caves. A fine engraving style is used for the panels of Trivikrama, Narasimha, Shankaranarayana, Bhuvaraha, Anantasayana, and Harihara. An inscription discovered here attests to Mangalesha’s construction of the shrine in 578 AD. The roof of Cave 3 also features fresco murals, some of which are damaged and faded. These are some of the oldest surviving examples of fresco painting in Indian art that are known to exist.
Cave 4 – Jainism Dedication
Cave 4 is the smallest of the other four caves and is a complete dedication to Jainism, with carvings of Jain Tirthankaras. Major carvings of Bahubali, Parshvanath, and Mahavira, along with a symbolic display of other Tirthankaras, are present inside the cave.
Not just these four cave temples; Badami is host to many other cave temples and historical monuments that are worth visiting during your trip. Some of the other tourist attractions in Badami are as below.
- Banashankari Amma Temple
- Agastya Lake
- Badami Fort
- Bhutanatha Temples
- Archaeological Museum
Things to do in Badami:
Take Tanga Rides
Due to modernization, it isn’t easy to sight Tangas now a day. Tanga is also a way of transportation; in the olden days, a horse drew a carriage. Badami still has Tangas, and Tangawalas still take minimal charges for rides from Badami to Banashankari and other places. Don’t forget to experience this fun Tanga ride on your visit to Badami.
Taste the North Karnataka Cuisine
When you are in North Karnataka, you must not miss tasting the authentic North Karnataka cuisine – Jolada Rotti Oota. Jolas rotti is a kind of flatbread made from Jowar flour, which doesn’t involve any fat/oils. Jolad rotti is the most common yet compulsory needed food meal item of North Karnataka people.
Eat outside the Banashankari Temple
Banashankari Amma temple, which is 5 KM distant from Badami, is another sacred Hindu temple one must visit. And this is the birthplace of the goddess Banashankari as per stories. Outside the Banashankari temple Badami, many aged ladies (ajji or amma) serve homemade fresh Jolad Rotti meals. They serve freshly made Jolad rotti with homemade thick curd, chutney, and sprouts. It will be a memorable lunch on the banks of Banashankari Honda.
Visit Archeological Museum
Near Cave temples Badami, there is Archeological Museum, which has many stone formation-related articulates, historical inscriptions, rock carvings, and many interesting facts about Chalukya Dynasty.
Badami Rock climbing
Due to the mountain cliffs and various Cave temples, rock climbing is another interesting thing in Badami.
How to reach Badami Cave Temples?
Badami Cave Temples has a very good connection to Badami, situated at 1KM from the main city bus stop. Badami a small town in the Bagalkot District of Karnataka state. The nearest airports to Badami city are Belagavi airport (130 Km away) and Hubli Airport (110 Km away). Badami has very good bus and trains connectivity from almost all Karnataka and Bangalore cities. It has a railway station too.
What are the Badami Cave Temples’ visit hours?
Badami Cave Temples are open all days of the week from morning 9 AM to evening 5 PM.
What are the other attractions near Badami Caves?
Visitors can also plan for nearby tourist attractions like Banashankari, Aihole, Pattadakal, Agastya Lake, Badami Fort, and Bhutanatha Temples.
How many days are enough to see Badami?
Normally, 1-2 days are enough to cover the places in and around Badami. And it depends on your taste and the time spent at each location.
Which is better, Hampi or Badami?
Hampi and Badami are both unique and have their significance comparing. Badami is from 6th-century architecture, while Hampi is from the 15th to 16th century.
What is famous in Badami?
The Chalukya period’s rock-cut architecture, Badami cave temples, and many other historical monuments make Badami a famous place.
What is the best time to visit Badami?
Badami receives little high rain during rainy seasons. And Badami temperature ranges between 23 to 30 degree Celsius. So the best time to visit Badami is between July to September.
Please read my blog about 12 Jyotirlinga in India.
Watu wa Karnataka Kaskazini wanahisi kwamba, ikilinganishwa na Karnataka Kusini, serikali inapuuza mkoa wao, ingawa kuna makaburi kadhaa ya kihistoria na umuhimu. Maeneo mengi muhimu ya utalii hayahifadhiwi vizuri (labda kwa sababu ya ukosefu wa rasilimali), na machache, kama Hampi, yameachwa. Si tu kutoka kwa mtazamo wa utalii lakini pia katika nyanja za ajira na elimu. Si rahisi kupata kampuni yoyote ya kimataifa katika mkoa wa Karnataka Kaskazini. Tofauti na Bangalore, Mysore, na maeneo mengine machache ya Karnataka. Hii inaweza kueleza kwa nini idadi kubwa ya wakazi wa mkoa huu kuhamia Karnataka Kusini kwa ajili ya ajira na fursa za elimu. "Kama sehemu ya utamaduni wa Karnataka, Badami ni ""Mkumbusho wa pango la Badami"" na ""Mkumbusho wa pango la Badami"" katika wilaya ya Bagalkot, karibu na mji mkuu wa Karnataka, Bangalore." Hizi huitwa Hekalu la Mapango kwa sababu zimejengwa au kuchongwa katika mawe makubwa ya mchanga mekundu katika umbo la mapango. Je, unaweza kuwazia jengo moja au pango lililochongwa katika mwamba ambalo ni kubwa kama nyumba za ghorofa nyingi za nyakati za kisasa? Naam, hiyo ni utaalam wa Badami Cave Temples - pia huitwa Menabasadi. Hekalu la Badami ni moja ya majumba ya kale zaidi ya karne ya XNUMX, wakati nasaba ya Chalukya ilitawala eneo la Karnataka. Baadhi ya mifano ya mapema zaidi inayojulikana ya mahekalu ya Kihindu katika eneo la Deccan inaweza kupatikana katika mahekalu ya pango ya Badami. Hekalu la pango la Badami ni mfano mzuri wa usanifu wa India uliochongwa kwenye mwamba, hasa usanifu wa Chalukya. Kwa wale ambao hawajui nini mwamba-kupasua usanifu ni, ni aina ya sanaa ambayo inajenga muundo kwa kuchonga miamba ya asili imara. Mifano mingine ya usanifu-ujenzi wa mwamba nchini India ni <unk> Mapango ya Barabar, hekalu la mapango ya Varaha, mapango ya Belum, mapango ya Udaygiri, mapango ya Ajanta na Ellora, na mengine mengi. Tarehe halisi ya ujenzi wa mahekalu haya ya pango la Badami haijulikani. Katika pango la tatu (moja ya mapango manne) kuna maandishi ya kale ambayo yanaonyesha kwamba hekalu la Vishnu lilitolewa na mfalme Mangalesha mnamo 578 na 579 KK. Maandishi ya mahekalu hayo ya mapango ya miamba, ambayo yaliandikwa katika lugha ya kale ya Kannada, yaliruhusu tarehe yao ya karne ya sita. Sasa pango hilo ndilo hekalu la kale zaidi la India lenye mapango ya Wahindu. Badami Cave Temples <unk> An UNESCO designated World Heritage Site Candidate: Badami, inayojulikana kama <unk>Vatapi, Vatapinagari, Vatapipura, na Agastya Tirtha<unk> katika nyakati za kale, ilikuwa mji mkuu wa Chalukya Dynasty. Kwa sababu ya umuhimu wake wa kihistoria na mtindo mkubwa wa usanifu wa Chalukya, jengo la Badami Caves ni sehemu ya bonde la mto Malaprabha <unk>Evolution of Temple Building <unk> Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal, <unk> mgombea wa UNESCO <unk> World Heritage Site. Eneo hilo linaonwa kuwa kitovu cha usanifu-ujenzi wa mahekalu ambayo ilitumika kama kielelezo cha mahekalu ya baadaye ya Kihindu. Hekalu la Badami ni jumba la mawe lenye mapango manne, pango la kwanza, pango la pili na pango la nne. Kwa utaratibu wa kuundwa kwao, nambari ya 1 hadi 4 imefanywa. Kila moja ya mapango haya ina mipango kubwa nyuma katika siku hizo. Wao ni pamoja na Mukha Mantapa, aitwaye Verandah na mlango. Walikuwa ikifuatwa na ukumbi mkuu, aitwaye <unk>Maha mandapa,<unk> mkono na brackets mwamba na nguzo. Kisha, Sanctum yenye umbo la mraba au mahali patakatifu pa kuitwa <unk>Garba Gudi<unk> imekatwa ndani sana ya pango. Mapango hayo yanaunganishwa na ngazi za mwamba zenye mwinuko, ambazo pia huelekea kwenye nyanda zinazoelekea ziwa na jiji la Badami. Pango la 1 - Pango la Shaivite Pango la 1 katika mahekalu ya pango la Badami ni pango la Shaivite, lililowekwa wakfu hasa kwa Bwana Shiva. Mji huo uko mita 18 kutoka kwenye ngazi ya kikundi na una Veranda (Mukha Mantapa) yenye nguzo tano iliyochongwa kwa shanga za maua, majani, na vito. Kiwango cha ndani cha veranda ni futi 70 (21 m) kwa futi 65 (20 m). Mfano wa mchoro wa Nataraja ni mchoro wa mita 5 na mikono 18 ambao ni kivutio kikuu cha pango la 1 na unaonyesha nafasi tofauti za kucheza. Mahisura Mardini Carving <unk> Karibu na mchongo wa Nataraja, kuna Chaturbhuja (mikono minne) mchongo wa Mahishashura Mardini, unaonyesha Mahishashura damana (kuua pepo Mahishashura) na Goddess Durga. "Mchoro wa ""Harihara"" (mfano wa nusu Shiva na nusu Vishnu) na ""Ardhana"" (mfano wa nusu Shiva na nusu Parvati) ni mchoro wa kwanza wa India." Mandhari ya nyoka na sanamu mbalimbali zilizochongwa hupamba dari. Pango la Vaishnava: Pango la Vaishnava ni pango la kwanza ambalo lina mashua 65 za mwamba, na linaelekea kaskazini. Bwana Vishnu ndiye mungu mkuu wa pango hili. Nguzo nne za mraba zilizochongwa kwenye uso wa jiwe lenye umbo moja zinagawanya ukumbi unaotumiwa kama mlango wa makao. Nguzo hizo zinatia ndani michoro ya ganas (vipepeo wa hadithi) wenye nyuso tofauti-tofauti kama michongo ya mapambo. Paneli za Trivikrama na Bhuvaraha ziko miongoni mwa avatar za Bwana Vishnu zilizopo katika pango hili. Safu za dari zina michongo ya Anantasayana, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, na Ashtadikpalas wengine. Pango la 3 <unk> Pango kubwa zaidi kati ya Pango 4 Pango kubwa zaidi, la kale zaidi, na zuri zaidi kati ya mapango yote manne ni Pango la 4. Kuchukua hatua 64 kutoka pango la 2 kutakuleta kwenye pango la 3. Pamoja na maonyesho mengine ya Vaishnava pantheon, ina picha kubwa ya Bwana Vishnu perched juu ya nyoka coiling. Kila sentimeta ya mraba ya paa na nguzo zina michoro, kama vile katika mapango mengine. Mtindo mzuri wa kuchonga hutumiwa kwa paneli za Trivikrama, Narasimha, Shankaranarayana, Bhuvaraha, Anantasayana, na Harihara. Maandishi ya kale ya kihistoria yanathibitisha kwamba Mangalesha alianzisha hekalu hilo mwaka 578 KK. Sehemu ya juu ya pango la 3 pia ina michoro ya ukutani, ambayo baadhi yake imeharibiwa na kufifia. Hizi ni baadhi ya mifano ya kale zaidi ya uchoraji wa fresco katika sanaa ya Kihindi ambayo inajulikana kuwepo. Pango la 4 ni mojawapo ya mapango madogo zaidi ya mapango mengine manne na ni mapango kamili kwa Jainism, na michongo ya Jain Tirthankaras. Michongo mikubwa ya Bahubali, Parshvanath, na Mahavira, pamoja na maonyesho ya ishara ya Tirthankaras wengine, zipo ndani ya pango. Badami ni mji wa hekalu la pango na vituo vya kihistoria ambavyo ni muhimu kutembelea wakati wa safari yako. Baadhi ya vivutio vingine vya watalii katika Badami ni kama hapa chini. - Banashankari Amma Temple - Agastya Lake - Badami Fort - Bhutanatha Temples - Archaeological Museum Mambo ya kufanya katika Badami: Kuchukua Tanga Rides Kwa sababu ya kisasa, si rahisi kuona Tangas sasa siku. Tanga pia ni njia ya usafiri; katika siku za kale, farasi alivuta gari. Badami bado ina Tangas, na Tangawalas bado kuchukua malipo kidogo kwa ajili ya safari kutoka Badami kwa Banashankari na maeneo mengine. Usisahau uzoefu huu fun Tanga safari juu ya ziara yako ya Badami. Ladha ya North Karnataka Kitchen Wakati wewe ni katika North Karnataka, lazima si kukosa ladha ya halisi ya Kaskazini Karnataka vyakula <unk> Jolada Rotti Oota. Jolas rotti ni aina ya mkate wa gorofa uliofanywa kutoka kwa unga wa Jowar, ambao hauhusishi mafuta yoyote. Jolad rotti ni chakula cha kawaida lakini cha lazima cha chakula cha watu wa Karnataka Kaskazini. Hekalu la Banashankari, ambalo ni kilomita 5 kutoka Badami, ni hekalu jingine takatifu la Kihindu ambalo lazima litembelee. Na hii ni mahali pa kuzaliwa kwa mungu-mke Banashankari kama ilivyoelezwa katika hadithi. Nje ya hekalu la Banashankari Badami, wanawake wengi wazee (ajji au amma) hutumikia chakula kipya cha Jolad Rotti kilichotengenezwa nyumbani. Wao hutumikia Jolad rotti iliyotengenezwa hivi karibuni pamoja na keki nzito ya nyumbani, chutney, na machipukizi. Itakuwa chakula cha mchana cha kukumbukwa kwenye kingo za Banashankari Honda. Karibu na hekalu la pango la Badami, kuna Makumbusho ya Archaeological, ambayo ina articulates nyingi zinazohusiana na malezi ya mawe, maandishi ya kihistoria, uchongaji wa mwamba, na ukweli mwingi wa kuvutia kuhusu nasaba ya Chalukya. Badami Rock Climbing Kwa sababu ya miamba ya mlima na mahekalu mbalimbali ya pango, kupanda mwamba ni jambo jingine la kuvutia katika Badami. Jinsi ya kufika Badami Cave Temples? Badami Cave Temple ni moja ya maeneo ya kusisimua zaidi ya mji wa Badami, ambayo ni karibu na kituo cha basi cha mji. Badami ni mji mdogo katika Wilaya ya Bagalkot ya jimbo la Karnataka. Uwanja wa ndege wa karibu zaidi kwa mji wa Badami ni uwanja wa ndege wa Belagavi (km 130 mbali) na uwanja wa ndege wa Hubli (km 110 mbali). Badami ina uhusiano mzuri sana wa basi na treni kutoka karibu miji yote ya Karnataka na Bangalore. Pia ina kituo cha reli. Ni saa ngapi za kutembelea Hekalu la Mapango la Badami? Hekalu la Badami ni wazi siku zote za wiki kutoka saa 9 asubuhi hadi saa 5 jioni. Ni vitu vingine gani vinavyovutia karibu na Mapango ya Badami? Wageni wanaweza pia kupanga vivutio vya watalii vya karibu kama Banashankari, Aihole, Pattadakal, Ziwa Agastya, Ngome ya Badami, na Hekalu la Bhutanatha. Ni siku ngapi zinatosha kuona Badami? Kwa kawaida, siku 1-2 zinatosha kufunika maeneo ndani na karibu na Badami. Inategemea ladha yako na muda unaotumika katika kila eneo. Ni ipi iliyo bora, Hampi au Badami? Hampi na Badami zote mbili ni za kipekee na zina umuhimu wao ukilinganisha. Badami ni ya karne ya sita, wakati Hampi ni ya karne ya kumi na tano hadi kumi na sita. Ni nini maarufu katika Badami? Usanifu-ujenzi wa kipindi cha Chalukya uliochongwa kwenye mwamba, mahekalu ya pango la Badami, na makaburi mengine mengi ya kihistoria hufanya Badami kuwa mahali maarufu. Ni wakati gani mzuri wa kutembelea Badami? Badami hupokea mvua kidogo wakati wa majira ya mvua. Joto la Andami ni kati ya digrii 23 hadi 30. Wakati mzuri wa kutembelea Badami ni kati ya Julai na Septemba. "Kama unavyoona, kuna ""Jyotirlinga"" 12 nchini India."