Badami caves are located in Badami, Karnataka, India. Inscriptions here help date two of these caves to the 6th-century, while parts of the third cave and the most of the fourth is likely from the 7th-century. All were likely complete in 6th to 7th century, with some additions to the Jain caves likely in early 8th century.
<ul><li>The above panel shows a band of decoration called the <i>hamsamala</i> in Sanskrit texts. This is a band of the mythical <i>hamsa</i> that typically forms a band all around the wall or a frame or a door in Hindu temples. Here it is depicted with hanging necklaces (stone jewelry). The proportions are described in the <i>shilpa and vastu texts</i> of Hinduism. In the 6th-century Badami caves, the length of the tall necks of each hamsa equals the body length. Another notable feature is the depiction of depth through a deep and a shallow relief of two <i>hamsa</i>, one behind the other. The one in the back can be either interpreted as sitting or originally standing-but-somewhat eroded over time.</li></ul>
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