Badami Fort is a renowned archaeological site in Badami. It is located on top of a hill that stands at a distance of about 2 km from the main town of Badami in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The origin of the fort dates back to 543 AD. The ancient fort was built by the Chalukyan King Pulakeshi.
The Badami Fort is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Badami.
Quick facts about Badami Fort, Badami
- Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Open on all days of the week except Friday)
- Entry Fee:5/-
- Photography: Allowed
- Visit Duration: About 1 hour
- Best time to visit: From October to March
History of Badami Fort, Badami
Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a historically significant place with a lot of heritage structures. The Badami Fort is one such monument that stands as a mute witness to a culturally rich bygone era.
Badami was the capital of the Chalukyas from 540 AD to 757 AD. The Badami Fort was the residence of the Chalukyan rulers. The fort was plundered and destroyed by the Pallavas in 642 AD. Much later, when Badami came under the rule of Tipu Sultan, the walls of the fort were rebuilt and several structures were added to the ancient fort complex.
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Architectural beauty of Badami Fort, Badami
Nestled atop a cliff, the Badami Fort lies opposite to the famous Badami Caves. The fort’s location commands a magnificent view of the Badami town and its splendid structures.
The Badami Fort was built in the Chalukyan style of architecture. The fort is surrounded by double fortification walls. The structures within the fort offer a glimpse of the architectural grandeur prevalent during the Chalukyan reign. The entrance of the fort is guarded by a statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull.
The fort encompasses large granaries, a huge underground chamber, carved temples, strategically located watch towers and other several other impressive structures. There is a masjid like structure situated in the centre of the fort, which is believed to have been constructed by Tipu Sultan. The Badami Fort boasts of a large cannon that reminds one of the various attacks witnessed by the silent fort.
Present condition of Badami Fort, Badami
The ancient Badami Fort lost much of its beauty and glory due to the ransacking by rulers from rival dynasties. But the quaint location of the fort and the surrounding areas continue to attract tourists till this day.
The Badami Fort is a deserted structure today. The fort is accessible by foot and there are steep steps that lead to this historical structure. The fort walls and the huge fort gate open a window to a glorious past. Some of the structures within the fort have withstood the test of time and human plunder to remain indomitable even today. The fort is currently under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). There is a pathway built by ASI that goes round the fort.
How to reach the Badami Fort
Badami lies at a distance of about 509 km from Bangalore. Badami is a tourist destination and can be conveniently reached by various means of transport. Autos and horse-drawn carriages (tongas) can be hired to reach the base of the hill housing the Badami Fort from anywhere in Badami.
By Air
The nearest airports to reach Badami are located at Hubli (around 105 km) and Belgaum (around 150 km). These airports are connected to Bangalore and Mumbai. Visitors can reach Badami from Hubli and Belgaum by taxi or by bus.
By Rail
Badami has its own railway station. The Badami Railway Station connects it various cities and towns of Karnataka, including Bangalore, Bijapur, Gadag, Hubli, Solapur, etc.
By Road
Badami has a road network that spreads out to a number of towns and cities of Karnataka. There are a lot of buses that travel between Badami and several other towns and cities in Karnataka. Private cars, cabs or other vehicles are also available for hire from big cities like Bengaluru (Bangalore) or Mysuru (Mysore) to reach Badami.
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