Visit Pattadakal in Bagalkot District: A Perfect Specimen Of Prime Chalukyan Architecture Style (2024)
South India is a hub of culture and a fine specimen of history with numerous architectures and sites that to date speak of tales as old as the land. Within the best places to visit in Karnataka, Pattadakal, is one such place that has one of the earliest and most delicate archeological structures of old Indian kingdoms. Pattadakal is also known by the names of Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, located in the Bagalkot Distrit. If you are a lover of ancient buildings and temples, your next trip should be to the small village of Pattadakal. Read on and find out more.
Why Visit Pattadakal?
Pattadakal is a beautiful little place that gives you a harmonious mixture of Northern and Southern architectural styles. Being a part of the Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal complex, which wears the title of UNESCO World Heritage, it is a perfect specimen of prime Chalukyan architecture style. This place’s history goes as far back as the 4th century, giving you breathing evidence of legends and rich culture.
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When you visit Pattadakal, you will not only witness these cultures but experience the talented craftsmanship of the antiquarian artists through the numerous temples, sculptures, and architectures. Therefore, if you are a devotee, then come to Pattadakal and step into the sanctuary of the gods and goddesses. If you have a special corner for art and history in your heart, then Pattadakal has more than enough in store for you.
What To See In Pattadakal?
Pattadakal is a store of beautiful temples, whose walls and pillars have exquisite carvings and proof of the beautiful architectures and styles that our ancestors were capable of. Of all the places, few of the must-visit places in Pattadakal that you absolutely cannot miss out are listed below:
- Virupaksha Temple: This temple marks the victory over the Pallavas of Kanchi by the great king Vikramaditya II. Built in the 8th century, it has multiple stone carvings and inscriptions carved in it. The temple’s beauty lies in the various Hindu gods’ beautiful sculptures found sculpted on the walls and different other places of the temple. It is also the largest temple you can find in Pattadakal.
Image Source - Sangameshwara Temple: This temple is one of India’s oldest temples, being erected around 696-733 AD. It was made by the great Chalukyan King, King Vijayadity Satyashraya. It is said to be the first temple to use the two-tier Sikharas, which are used even till this date.
Image Source - Kashi Vishwanath Temple: The Rashtrakutas constructed this temple in the 8th century. In this temple, you will find the architectural style of the Nagara. The pillars here are famous for their female figurines, which you will find beautifully and effortlessly engraved in them.
Image Source - Jain Temple: Another one of the top places to visit in Pattadakal, the Jain Temple, was either built by King Amoghavarsha I or Krishna II, his son. Built around the 9th century, it was initially a Jain temple but had a Shiva Lingam installed in it later. You will find large life-sized elephant statues and 16 massive round pillars in the entrance to the temple.
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When To Visit Pattadakal?
The best time to visit Pattadakal is around the winter season. During this time, the weather stays pleasant for sight-seeing. You may also visit Pattadakal during the monsoon season. Though the rain can be a bit troublesome, the climate remains enjoyable, and the nights can become cold. However, visiting during the summer season is not recommended as the temperature increases and becomes unbearably hot. Not to forget, the humid makes sight-seeing extremely uncomfortable. Therefore, the recommended months for a visit to Pattadakal would be from October to March.
How to Reach Pattadakal?
Getting to Pattadakal is not that hard of a task as it is a very well connected city. There are various means to get here. Let’s take a quick look at them.
- By Flight: Though there are no direct flights to Pattadakal, you can get to the nearest airport, which is in Belgaum (150 km) from where you may hire a taxi to Pattadakal. You may even take the train from Belgaum to Badami and then take a cab to Pattadakal.
- By Road: There are options for hiring taxis and cabs, of course, but if you want to travel locally, then regular buses operate to and fro from Pattadakal. You will get buses even at night running from nearby towns and cities such as Belgaum, Aihole, Badami, and Bangalore.
- By Train: If you prefer traveling by the railways, then the nearest station would be the Badami railway station, which sits around 17 km away. Once at Badami, you can get a taxi to Pattadakal.
- Traveling Within The City: To travel locally, you would not need to hire any transport as most of the sites are situated close to each other. You can cover them all on foot.
Some Useful Tips While At Pattadakal
Every place has some or the other things that you need to be prepared for from beforehand. If you are traveling to Pattadakal, then here are a few things that you should keep in mind.
Though there are some local delicacies such as Bisi Bele Bath, Kesari Bath, Jolada Roti, Mysore Pak, and so on, food options can, at times, be hard to find. Therefore, it is advised that you carry some food while traveling or prepare some arrangements from beforehand.
If your plans are to spend a day or two in Pattadakal, it is advised that you better make it a one day trip instead of many. Though Pattadakal has a lot to offer, they all can be covered in approximately a day. Also, due to inadequate accommodation arrangements, it is advised to keep the trip short.
Traveling at night is not recommended as the internal lanes may be dark and isolated. Public transport is safe and should be used.
The buttermilk here is quite famous. Therefore, make sure you definitely give it a try. Also, because all the sight-seeing is mostly done on foot, the buttermilk will keep you hydrated and refreshed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one of the top tourist places in Karnataka, Pattadakal, is an exquisite vacation destination, especially if you are a devotee or a fan of antique Indian architecture. A place that still holds the period structures proudly, Pattadakal is a must-visit to take a trip down the path of history.
