|Coordinates:||15.9182 N 75.6843 E|
|No:||37 (list of all attractions)|
|Categories:||Jain shrines, Rock cut architecture, Petroglyphs and rock art|
|Values:||Art, Architecture, History, Archaeology|
|Address:||Asia, India, Karnataka, Bagalkot district, near Badami town, cliffside at the historical town reservoir (Agastya tirtha reservoir)|
|Writing in Kannada:||ಬದಾಮಿ|
|Age:||Late 6th - 7th century AD|
The first ruler of the Early Chalukya dynasty, Pulakesi I established a new capital for his kingdom sometime around 540 AD. This city was located at the mouth of steep ravine and initially was named Vatapi. Nowadays it is known as Badami.
Great kingdom needed outstanding sanctuaries. Badami Chalukyas built Badami Cave Temples – some of the most exquisite Indian rock-cut temples.
Chalukyan royal temples
The water flowing from the ravine in Badami is gathered in an ancient artificial lake – Agastya tirtha reservoir. High above the water there are towering cliffs of comparatively soft sandstone. Royal shrines were made in these cliffs with grand view opening over the former capital city.
The four cave temples of Badami were built by the son of Pulakesi I – Kirthivarman (ruled in 567 – 598 AD) and his brother Mangalesha I (ruled in 598 – 610 AD). One cave is devoted to Shiva, two – to Vishnu. Fourth cave is Jain temple. Thus Chalukyas, just like several other successful dynasties of Ancient India, demonstrated religious tolerance.
Although in many respects these structures repeat the architecture of similar Indian cave temples created before, there is noticeable also a development of distinct style in architecture and art – Chalukyan style. Art of Badami shows influence both of South Indian styles (Dravidian style) and northern influences (Indo-Aryan Nagara style).
Badami Cave Temples have simple exterior but their interiors have very ornate finishing. Entrance leads through a pillared verandah – mukha mandapa, pillars have square form in section. Three caves are adorned with a lavish frieze below the columns. The main hall of each temple – maha mandapa – is standing on massive columns. Furthest part of the temple behind the main hall is the shrine – cella or garbhagrha. Most likely caves were covered with exciting murals – only traces of this former beauty remain.
Important feature of Badami Caves and their surroundings is ancient inscriptions in Kannada writing and in Kannada and Sanskrit languages. In total in Badami there have been found 18 cliff inscriptions. The oldest is from 543 AD.
One of the most important inscriptions is made in 700 AD at the northeast end of reservoir. It consists of ten lines in Kannada writing, both in Kannada and Sanskrit languages. This inscription is not completely clearly translated but it is clear that it goes about Kappe Arahatta, local saint and heroe. Under the inscription there is nice carving of ten leaved lotus in circle.
There exists also the fifth cave in Badami – natural cave used as a Buddhist temple. It can be entered only on all fours. Area contains also many other temples.
This cave most likely is the oldest – built in 575 – 585 AD.
Entrance portal can be reached by 40 steps and contains four freestanding square columns and two semi-columns. Below the columns there is a frieze with ganas – attendants of Shiva.
Main hall contains pillars and a square shaped shrine at the back wall. Ceiling is adorned with murals of amorous couples miraculously preserved for more than 1,400 years.
Cave is adorned with exquisite reliefs, the most impressive ones include a group with Shiva and Parvati with a coiled serpent as well as unique monument of art – 18 armed Nataraja, which, when closely observed, strikes 81 dancing poses.
Created in late 6th century AD and dedicated to Vishnu who is shown here as Trivikrama – with one foot on Earth and another – directed to the north. Vishnu in this temple is represented also as Varaha (boar) and Krishna avatars.
Cave is reached by climbing 64 steps from the first cave. Entrance is adorned with reliefs of guardians (dvarapalas) with smaller female attendants shown.
The largest and most renowned cave temple in Badami most likely is created in 578 – 580 AD. Cave contains inscription by later Chalukya king Mangalesa in Kannada – he organised excavation of this Vaishnava temple. Inscription has been made in 578 AD, Mangalesa became a king in 597 and ruled until 609 AD. It is common that Indian cave temples were patronised by influential members of royal families.
Rock-cut temple has north – south orientation. Main hall together with verandah goes up to 14.5 m deep into the mountain, shrine makes the cave for some 4 m deeper. Height of the main hall is approximately 4.5 m.
Cave is reached by climbing 60 steps from the Cave 2. Facade of the temple is approximately 21 m wide and is adorned with a row of six massive columns. Below the columns there is a friese consisting of 30 smaller reliefs of ganas.
Whole cave is covered with magnificent adornments, including paintings on ceiling. Centrepiece of these murals is four-armed Brahma on his swan. On the floor below the mural of Brahma there is a lotus medallion – place where offerings were laid.
Significant monuments of Indian art are the numerous reliefs of Vishnu including standing Vishnu, Vishnu with a serpent, Vishnu as Narasimha (half human – half lion), Varaha, Harihara and Trivikrama avatars. Reliefs are 4 m high.
Art in cave 3 provides important information about the culture and clothing in this region in 6th century.
This is the only Jain temple in complex and the newest cave in complex, made in late 6th century – 7th century AD. It is located higher than other caves. If compared to the three previous caves, this cave is less elaborate and smaller – but still beautiful and rich with adornment. It contains carving of the Tirthankara Parshavnatha with a serpent at his feet. Here is located also sculpture of Jain saint Mahavira in seated pose (often mistaken for Buddha) and standing Gomatesvara with creepers twisted around his legs.
See Badami Cave Temples on the map of India!