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Badami Cave Temples

Badami, Bagalkot, Karnataka
Lord Shiva
More in Karnataka

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Shiva

Pincode

587201

A group of four remarkable cave temples (3 Hindu + 1 Jain) carved into red sandstone cliffs by the Chalukya kings (6th century CE). Cave 3 contains a stunning 18-armed Vishnu Trivikrama sculpture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of early Deccan rock-cut architecture.

History & Significance

Significance

Four rock-cut cave temples carved into a sandstone cliff by the Badami Chalukyas in the 6th century CE, when Badami (then Vatapi) was their capital. Three caves are dedicated to Hindu deities (Shiva, Vishnu) and one to Jain Tirthankaras — together they're regarded as some of the earliest and finest examples of Deccan rock-cut architecture.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Devi

One of the most powerful Shakti temples in Karnataka, 5 km from Badami. Goddess Banashankari (Devi of the forest/banana grove) is worshipped here in a unique form — seated on a lion crushing a demon, holding a skull. The Rathotsava (chariot festival) here draws 5 lakh pilgrims and is one of Karnataka's grandest festivals.

Banashankari Amma Temple

Cholachagudd, Karnataka11 km
Goddess Devi

Shiva

A UNESCO World Heritage Site with 10 major temples representing the peak of Chalukya architectural achievement (7th–8th century CE). The Virupaksha Temple here (also called Lokeswara) was the model for the Kailasa Temple at Ellora. Pattadakal, Badami, and Aihole together form the 'Cradle of Hindu Architecture'.

Pattadakal Temple Complex

Pattadakal, Karnataka15 km
Lord Shiva

Shiva

The birthplace of Basavanna (1131–1196 CE) — the great saint-philosopher who founded the Lingayat tradition and campaigned against caste discrimination. Located at the confluence of the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers. The Basavanna samadhi (shrine) here is the most sacred site for 10 million Lingayat devotees worldwide.

Kudalasangama Basaveshwara Temple

Kudalasangama, Karnataka43 km
Lord Shiva

Devi

One of Karnataka's most visited pilgrimage sites — dedicated to Goddess Renuka Yellamma (a fierce form of the mother goddess associated with the downtrodden). Attracts 10 lakh+ pilgrims during the annual Yellamma Jatre festival (January). The hilltop location and the deeply devotional atmosphere of this folk goddess temple is extraordinary.

Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple

Saundatti, Karnataka62 km
Goddess Devi