Pattadakal is situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River. The town is in Bagalkot district. Pattadakal is a testament to the architectural prowess of the Chalukya dynasty. The city was earlier called Pattada Kisuvolal, which translates to ‘City of Crown Rubies’.
Temples with a history
There are 10 major temples in Pattadakal, all dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples contain elements of both South Indian (Dravidian) and North Indian (Nagara) styles of architecture. The timeless beauty and historical relevance of these temples saw them acquire the status of a world heritage site in 1987.
Four temples are constructed in the traditional Dravidian style of architecture, with another 4 temples containing elements of Nagara architecture. The remaining two temples are a confluence of both architectural styles. The entire city resonates with the power of Shiva and draws several thousand tourists to it every year.
Group of monuments At Pattadakal. Image courtesy Manjunath Doddamani Gajendragad
Sightseeing options in and around Pattadakal
The Chalukyas were famous as patrons of art and culture. They were blessed with some of the most skilled artisans of their time, and their combined efforts gave rise to several architectural edifices of incomparable beauty. Some of the chief attractions have been described below.
Virupaksha Temple
Virupaksha Temple (previously known as Lokesvara Temple) is the largest temple in Pattadakal and the most popular one among tourists. It was built by Queen Lokamahadevi in the 8th century to commemorate the victory of her husband Vikramaditya II over the Pallavas.
The entire temple is adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions. The temple also houses several beautiful sculptures of Hindu gods, noteworthy for their remarkable craftsmanship. The inscriptions in the temple reveal that King Vikramaditya had employed an architect and a team of sculptors from the South to express his admiration for the art of the Pallavas.
The government of Karnataka organizes the annual Virupaksha temple car festival which draws large crowds every year.
Jain Temple
This is the only Jain temple in Pattadakal. The architectural vocabulary of this edifice is Dravidian. It is noteworthy for the several intricately crafted sculptures housed inside it. It dates back to the 9th century and has immense religious and historical significance.
There is still ambiguity over the identity of the monument’s chief patron, with both King Amoghavarsha and his son Krishna II being named. Several thousand tourists visit this monument every year to savor its artistic excellence.
There is still ambiguity over the identity of the monument’s chief patron, with both King Amoghavarsha and his son Krishna II being named. Several thousand tourists visit this monument every year to savor its artistic excellence.
Jain Narayana temple, Pattadakal. Image courtesy Dineshkannambadi
Kashiviswanatha Temple
This monument was constructed in the 8th century by the Rashtrakutas. The architectural style used in this temple is predominantly the Nagara style. This temple is famous for the several female figurines engraved on the walls. The monument is steeped in history, and the artistic perfection of the engravings make it a must visit destination in Pattadakal.
Galaganath Temple
This temple dates back to the 8th century. It faces to the east and is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is noteworthy for an exquisite sculpture of Lord Shiva killing the demon Andhakasura. It also houses an immense Shiva Linga, called the Sparsha Linga. Small figurines of Lord Kubera and Gajalakshmi are also housed within the temple.
Galaganatha Temple, Pattadakal. Image courtesy J Dineshkannambadi
Sangameshwara Temple
This temple has historical significance as one of the oldest in India. Construction of this monument was completed in 733 AD by the Chalukya king Vijayaditya Satyashraya. It stands between the Virupaksha and Galaganath temples, and was earlier known as the Vijayeswara temple. This edifice was constructed following the Dravidian style of architecture and is remarkable for its intricate and detailed design and architecture.
Sangameshwara Temple, Pattadakal. Image courtesy Arian Zwegers
Mallikarjuna Temple
The Mallikarjuna temple was built right after the completion of the Virupaksha temple. The temple is in fact a miniature version of the Virupaksha temple. Both the temples share several architectural similarities. It was built by King Vikramaditya’s second queen Rani Trilokyamahadevi to celebrate the Chalukyan victory over the Pallavas.
The temple contains several aspects of Dravidian architecture, including a 4 storied Vimana with a circular griva and shikara. The porch contains an exquisite image of Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu which augments the beauty of this monument.
Mallikarjuna and Kasivisvanatha temples,Pattadakal. Image courtesy Dineshkannambadi
Papanatha Temple
This monument dates back to the 7th century and is built in the Vesara style of architecture. Construction was initially begun using Nagara techniques as a reference, but later the architects switched to using the Dravidian style. Thus the temple contains elements of both.
The ceiling is adorned with remarkable figures of Shiva-Parvathi with the Gandharvas and Vishnu. Scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharatha have been depicted in several carvings all over the temple. The expertise of the artisans is evident in the beauty of the temple, and several art and history enthusiasts visit this monument every year.
Papanatha Temple ,Pattadakal. Image courtesy Dinesh Kannambadi
How to reach Pattadakal
The city is well connected by air, road, and rail to all major cities in the country.
By air
The nearest airport is Belgaum, which is 180 kms from Pattadakal. Several flights from major Indian cities such as Mumbai and Chennai operate to Belgaum.
By rail
Badami, located about 22 km from Pattadakal, is the nearest rail head. Trains from major cities such as Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Solapur halt at the station.
By road
Pattadakal is well connected by road. Several busses, both government operated and private, ply regularly from major cities in Karnataka such as Bengaluru (514 kms), Hubli (122 kms) and Belgaum (180 kms).