Early Chalukya cave temples at Badami and the UNESCO-listed temple group at nearby Pattadakal.
FamousHeritagePilgrimageLake
Badami was once Vatapi, the Chalukya capital, and its sandstone cliffs hold four carved cave temples above a lake. Pattadakal, about 22 km away, is a World Heritage temple complex, and Aihole adds dozens of older shrines. It suits anyone interested in history, architecture and sculpture who can manage some steps in the heat.
Trip planner
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October to March | The best time. Days are cooler, roughly 16 to 27 C, and the Pattadakal Dance Festival is held in January or February. |
| April to June | Very hot, with days around 37 C. Sightseeing is best kept to early morning and late afternoon. |
| July to September | Monsoon months turn the landscape green and ease the heat. Visits are possible unless rain is heavy. |
Four rock-cut caves from the 6th and 7th centuries in red sandstone, three Hindu and one Jain. Cave 1 has an 18-armed dancing Shiva and Cave 3 is the largest, with big Vishnu panels.
A large old tank between the cave hill and the fort hill. The Shiva temples of the Bhutanatha group stand on its eastern bank, with a 7th-century core.
A small ASI museum with four galleries of sculpture, including a Lajja Gauri image and Shiva panels. Photography is not allowed.
A stepped path between cliffs leads up to old granaries, a treasury, a watchtower, a cannon and temples such as the Upper Shivalaya, with wide views of the town and lake.
A compact early Chalukya temple perched on a rock, often called one of the best preserved in Badami.
A popular goddess temple at Cholachagudd, busy with pilgrims, especially during its annual festival.
A UNESCO World Heritage complex on the Malaprabha river where Chalukya kings were crowned. It has about ten major temples, including Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna and Papanatha, mixing northern and southern styles, plus a Jain temple and a site museum.
A village with more than 120 temples from the 4th to 12th centuries, including the horseshoe-shaped Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Ravana Phadi cave and the hilltop Meguti Jain Temple, plus a museum.
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| Budget level | Type | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Lodges and simple hotels in Badami town | ₹900 to ₹1,800 |
| Mid-range | Hotels such as KSTDC Mayura Chalukya, Hotel Rajsangam International or Badami Court | ₹3,200 to ₹5,800 |
| Luxury | Resort-style hotels such as The Heritage Resort or Clarks Inn | ₹7,500 to ₹14,000 |
Badami is not a food destination, but simple restaurants and meal houses in town serve thalis for about Rs 120 to 250. Pattadakal and Aihole have very few eating places, so carry water and snacks.
Vegetarian meal houses are common in Badami.
| Budget level | Stay per room | Food per person | Local transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,200 | ₹450 | ₹100 per person |
| Mid-range | ₹4,000 | ₹900 | ₹1,200 per vehicle |
| Luxury | ₹9,000 | ₹2,000 | ₹3,300 per vehicle |
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No permits are needed. Carry ID; children under 15 need ID for free entry at ASI sites.
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Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
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