Pattadakallu is the second capital of the chalukyan kingdom. It is located in North Karnataka's Bagalkot district on the banks of the river Malaprabha. It is 22 km away from Badami and 514 kms from Bangalore. Pattadakal saw the Badami Chalukya art in its full bloom. These temples are built in the seventh and eighth centuries. There are ten temples including a Jaina basadi of Rashtrakuta times and also surrounded by numerous small shrines and plinths.
The Sangameshwara, Chandrashekhara, Jambuling, Kadasideeshwara , Papanatha, Kashivishvanatha Temple are the other major temples here.
Four of the temples here are in the south Indian Dravidian architectural style while four are in the north Indian Nagara style while Papanatha temple exhibits a hybrid style.The two magnificent temples with their nicely engraved lively figures on walls and the massive square pillars are in sand stone. Pattadakal itself was known as Kisuvolal "Red Town" as the sand stone here is reddish in colour.
Virupaksha temple was built by the queens of Vikramaditya II in honor of his victorious battle against the Pallavas of Kanchi in the year 735 CE and the temples were named by them after themselves as the Lokeshwara (by Lokadevi) and Trailokeshwara (by Trailokadevi), which came to be known as the Virupaksha and the Mallikarjuna respectively. The temple is rich in sculpture like those of Lingodbhava, Nataraja, Ravananugraha & Ugranarasimha. Built in the southern Dravida style, it is the largest temple in the enclosure.
The Virupaksha temple, probably the most beautiful of all temples here is in the south Indian style and is almost a replica of the Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi. The 18 pillars in the temple has carvings depicting scenes from the puranas in each of them. There are also carvings of Ravananugrahamurthy, Narasimha, Gajendramoksham, the dance of Shiva.
Sangameshwara temple the oldest temple in Pattadakal, it was built by King Vijayaditya ( 696-733 AD). The temple is built in Dravidian style & consists of a sanctum, inner passage & a hall. Both the temples Sangamesvara temple and the Virupaksha temple are similar to each other in being square on plan from the base to top. Ugranarasimha, Nataraja sculptures are seen on the outer wall.
Mallikarjuna Temple is a smaller version of the Virupaksha temple and was built by Vikramadiyta's second queen Trilokyamahadevi in 745 CE. The ceiling has panels of Gajalakshmi & Nataraja with Parvathi. Pillars in the temple depict the birth & life of Krishna. There are sculptures of Mahishasuramardini & Ugranarasimha.
Kasivisvesvara temple was the last to be built in early Chalukya style. This temple was built by the Rashtrakutas in the 8th century Nagara style.
Jain Temple located on the Pattadakal-Badami Road, is built in the Dravidian style by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta. It has some very beautiful sculptures & probably dates from the 9th century and was built by either King Amoghavarsha I or his son Krishna II.
Papanatha temple is built in the vesara style dated to 680. The temple was started in nagara style but later changed to a more balanced Dravidian style. Sculptures here speak of scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharatha. This temple has many similarities with the Navabrahma temples in Alampur, Andhra Pradesh, which were also built by Badami Chalukyas.
Pattadakal has also a Jaina basadi of Rashtrakuta times with two beautiful elephants in this front. The Galaganath temple here which is dilapidated, has caurvilinear (rekhanagara) shikhara. Temple contains a sculpture of Lord Shiva killing the demon Andhakasura.
A classical dance festival is held at Pattadakal, usually at the end of January every year. The Virupaksha Temple Car Festival is held in Pattadakal in March every year. The Mallikarjuna Temple Festival is also held in Pattadakal in March-April.
Open on all weekdays. From Dawn to Dusk. Entry fee for those above 12 yrs. : Rs. 5.00, Free entry on Fridays.
Best time to visit - October to February
How to Reach
Air - Pattadakal does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is Bangalore, around 514 km away.
Rail - The nearest railway station is Badami, 22 km away. There are around five regular trains for Bijapur from Badami.
Road - The State Highway 14 links Pattadakal with Badami. Aihole is round 45 km from Pattadakal. The place is connected to other major centers like Bijapur (134 km) by road.
Where to stay
As Pattadakal is a small village, accommodation options are not available here. One is advised to find accommodation in the nearer places like Badami (22 Kms) or Bijapur (17Kms).
At Bijapur
* Hotel Mayura Adil Shah
Anand Mahal Road
* Travellers Bungalow
Station Raod
Bijapur
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 Pattadakal Temple |
 Pattadakal Galaganath Shrine |
