Pattadakal is famous for its group of monuments and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. The uniqueness of this place derives from the presence of both the Southern and the Northern styles of temple architecture. The temples were built in the 8th century CE. There are ten temples including a Jain sanctuary sourrounded by numerous small shrines. Pattadakal saw the Badami Chalukya art in its full bloom. Located on the banks of the river Malaprabha, Pattadakal was the capital of the Chalukya rulers. For more information, visit wikipedia.
Pattadakal, located in Bagalkot district of Karnataka is 14 kms from Aihole, 22 Kms from Badami and 16 Kms from Banashankari. These places are interconnected with well laid roads. The tourism department has placed signboards with directions and distence at regular intervals making driving to these places effortless.
The best known is the Virupaksha temple, built by Queen Lokamahadevi. Other notable temples include Sangameshvara Temple, Kashivisvanatha temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Galganatha temple, Kadasiddeshvara temple, Jambulinga Temple, Papanatha temple, Naganatha temple, Chandrashekara temple and Mahakuteshwara temple. A Jain Temple located on the Pattadakal-Badami Road has some very beautiful sculptures. Archeological Survey of India has maintained a Museum of the Plains and Sculpture gallery.
Every year during the first quarter Pattadakal celebrates the annual three-days extravaganza of dance and music festival, which is also called the Chalukya Utsava. There are no hotels in the vicinity and one has to go to Badami or Banashankari for accomodation.
Flash video of pattadakal photos:
My travel log
We left Aihole at 1.30 and reached Pattadakal at 2 pm. Even though parking facilities are absent, village panchayat collects parking fee. Archeological Survey of India is doing a good job maintaining these structures. It would require a minimum of 3-4 hours for an ardent observer to appreciate the sculptures on these temples. We did not have sufficient time and my companions lacked interest, so we pushed off after spending 1.45 hours. However, the road to Banashankari from Pattadakal was not as good as the others in that area (December 2006).
There are no hotels nearby and one has to carry sufficient water and snacks. Places to visit nearby include Aihole, Banashankari and Badami.
Distance chart:
Aihole to Pattadakal: 14 Kms
Pattadakal, located in Bagalkot district of Karnataka is 14 kms from Aihole, 22 Kms from Badami and 16 Kms from Banashankari. These places are interconnected with well laid roads. The tourism department has placed signboards with directions and distence at regular intervals making driving to these places effortless.
The best known is the Virupaksha temple, built by Queen Lokamahadevi. Other notable temples include Sangameshvara Temple, Kashivisvanatha temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Galganatha temple, Kadasiddeshvara temple, Jambulinga Temple, Papanatha temple, Naganatha temple, Chandrashekara temple and Mahakuteshwara temple. A Jain Temple located on the Pattadakal-Badami Road has some very beautiful sculptures. Archeological Survey of India has maintained a Museum of the Plains and Sculpture gallery.
Every year during the first quarter Pattadakal celebrates the annual three-days extravaganza of dance and music festival, which is also called the Chalukya Utsava. There are no hotels in the vicinity and one has to go to Badami or Banashankari for accomodation.
Flash video of pattadakal photos:
My travel log
We left Aihole at 1.30 and reached Pattadakal at 2 pm. Even though parking facilities are absent, village panchayat collects parking fee. Archeological Survey of India is doing a good job maintaining these structures. It would require a minimum of 3-4 hours for an ardent observer to appreciate the sculptures on these temples. We did not have sufficient time and my companions lacked interest, so we pushed off after spending 1.45 hours. However, the road to Banashankari from Pattadakal was not as good as the others in that area (December 2006).
There are no hotels nearby and one has to carry sufficient water and snacks. Places to visit nearby include Aihole, Banashankari and Badami.
Distance chart:
Aihole to Pattadakal: 14 Kms
