Badami cave temples are a complex of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples that are situated in Badami. They are the perfect example of the great Indian rock cut architecture & Badami Chalukya architecture.
There are 4 caves in these cave temples. Cave 1 includes various sculptures of Hindu deities & themes out of which a important carving is of dancing Shiva as Nataraja. Cave 2 is similar to Cave 1 including Hindu subjects of which the Hari Hara, Ardhanareshwara, Mahishasuramardini, Dwi Bahu Ganesha & Skanda on extended cave at western side next to Nataraja statue. Cave 3 includes lord Vishnu as Ananta, Varaha with Bhudevi, Harihara, Narasimha in standing posture, Trivikrama & Virata Vishnu. Cave 4 includes the spiritual personalities of Jainism.
History:
This caves complex is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title "Evolution of Temple Architecture - Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal". It is situated in the Malaprabha river valley and is considered as a foundation of temple architecture.
The artwork in Caves 1 & 2 exhibit the northern Deccan style of 6th & 7th centuries. Cave 3 represent two ancient Indian artistic traditions. The first 3 caves includes sculptures of Hindi deities and cave 4 includes Jain icons & themes. These cave temples are carved out of soft sandstone on a mountain edge. Each of the four caves include an entrance with a mukha mantapa.
How To Reach:
Badami bus stand is just a 1 KM away from the caves complex. You can reach the complex by taking a auto rickshaw or a local taxi from bus stand.
