The next day, early in the morning we got up and headed for Badami, Ahihole, and Pattadkal. Located at a distance of 150 km from Hampi, Badami is famous for its carved caves.
MUST VISIT BADAMI CAVES
We decided to travel by local bus, to explore the local life. We changed 3 buses to reach Badami. It was very hectic for us as well as time-consuming travel, which was our wrong decision. We could have hired a cab, later we realized. The fare for a day trip to Badami, Ahihole and Pattadkal is Rs. 3500-4000. There are very few options, to stay in Badami so everyone comes to Badami from Hampi.
There are Badami caves at a distance of 1-1.5 km from the bus stand. The Lord Shiva temple is located on the left side of the road. It has a beautiful carving. We visited this place too.
The market of Badami was adorned with colourful clothes for kids. Red-pink turbans, and shiny copper-brass utensils.
These caves on the hill, are easily visible, from the market road.
We reached near caves. The place has huge parking. With the ticket, we got ready to see the Badami Caves. All these caves are carved in red stone and the carvings are still alive and beautiful. The speciality of these caves is that they can be seen as low height, but when we entered inside all are huge. The outer pillars of each cave are beautifully carved. These caves are carved, as per the Hindu style and many incidents from Ramayana can be seen here.
Moving from the ticket counter, a long flight of steps take me to the first cave. The first of the Badami caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva's avatar Natraj. Another cave is dedicated to Vishnu's avatar. The most catchy carving of Vishnu's Rudra avatar Narasimha.
The Badami Cave is a small replica of the Ajanta Caves. Located on a high hill, these 7-8 caves of Badami are small in size but beautiful. The carvings in the caves, such as the animals on the pillars, the birds, the flowers are admirable. The mythological events of the gods and goddesses carved here and the expressions on their faces still seem alive today.
In front of the cave you can see a big lake and near it is the temple of Bhutnath. This temple of Bhutnath, which is very large and has alluring craftsmanship, looks very attractive, because of the pond that has benefited it. Badami’s best can be simply experienced by a walk through the ruins. All the major attractions of Badami are located around Agasthya Lake.
After the Badami visit, we had our quick lunch because we were running late. Almost it was 3.00 pm. We decided to go to Ahihole and Pattadkal. From Badami to Pattadkal 17 km and from Pattadkal to Ahihole 23 km we still have 40-42 km left. I was very happy to negotiate with the Rikshaw driver, it was 1200 Rs to visit both the places, whereas, I closed the deal at 700. Our rickshaw was buzzing noise, through the villages with small roads. There were no vehicles on the road, cool air, sugarcane, banana orchards everywhere and we were enjoying this rickshaw ride a little differently.
It took us, a little longer to get to Ahihole. The sun was also setting. Just 45 minutes before the temple closes. At 5.00 pm we reached this place. Quickly took the guide and started to see the temple. It was set of approx 125 temples. The temple is in the shape of the Parliament of India. So it is a special attraction. This magnificent work of art is carved in red rock and on the inside, there are myths of gods and goddesses with beautiful carvings.
First, we went to Pattadakal. I was amazed to see such a magnificent group of Hindu & Jain temples. These temples are in ruins as there are no idols in the temple, but the condition of the temples and the carvings on them are still excellent. These temples are huge and strong. Delicate carvings can be seen on the pillars in the temples. There are many such myths based on the life of many animals and The Lord Vishnu, Shankar, Rama. There is so much to appreciate about this carving work because even after so many years, the happiness and spirit of it are still alive.
There is only one temple of Lord Shiva, among so many temples, where worship is done even today. There is darkness in the temple building but the temple is delighted, because of the constant lighting lamp. Nandi in front of this temple catches our attention. Carved in a single smooth stone, this Nandi is a specimen of Indian art. There is no hotel for dining in this place. But just outside the temple, some rural women can be seen sitting with millet, sorghum bhakari, vegetables, curd and spicy chilli paste, for only Rs 20-25. We also enjoyed this delicious meal and proceeded to Ahihole.
It took us,a little longer to get to Ahihole. The sun was also setting. Just 45 minutes before the temple closes. At 5.00 pm we reached this place. Quickly took the guide and started to see the temple. It was set of approx 125 temples. The temple is in the shape of the Parliament of India. So it is a special attraction. This magnificent work of art is carved in red rock and on the inside, there are myths of gods and goddesses with beautiful carvings.
Ahihole was a school of architecture
Ahihole was a school of architecture in ancient times. So there is diversity in the carvings of the Temple. There are windows with different types of mesh carving in the same Temple. Some Temples are look in Roman style. Exhausted and stunned, we came out of the temple. Then started the way back. We are proud to be an Indian, as we have great art and cultural heritage!
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