The happiness derived from vacationing and visiting a historical tourist destination is often unmatched to the happiness derived from other entertaining and recreational pursuits. It is very rewarding to tread all the way to visit a place with historical significance, as it looks and feels unique to other landscapes. Cited as an example of a rewarding tourist place with an antique appeal is the village of Pattadakal in Karnataka, which has been a hot favorite of tourists owing to the ancient structures found here.
Location
Pattadakal is located at a distance of 22 kilometres from the town of Badami, another centre of the state, which is famous for its ancient structures. It falls under the district of Bagalkot.
History
The village was established as the capital of Chalukya Dynasty. The temples found here were constructed during the 7th and 8th century. A total of ten temples were built by the rulers, consisting a Jain temple and the remaining Shiva temples.
In the early period, the village was known as the Pattada Kisuvolal or simply Kisuvolal. Literary works from the 16th century describe the village as Hammirapura and Pattashilapura.
The groups of monuments at Pattadakal are one of the finest examples of blending different architectural patterns. Due to the presence of these ancient monuments, the village was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Monuments
Virupaksha Temple
This temple was constructed during the 8th century by the wife of Vikramaditya II as a symbol his victory. There are a lot of sculptures within the temple complex.
This temple was initially known as the Lokeshvara temple. It features three entrances from south, east and north. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple houses a Shivlinga.
Sangameshwara Temple
This temple is considered to be the oldest of its type in the village. The structure is constructed following the Dravidian architectural style.
One can see various figures carved out of the stone in the exterior walls of this temple.
Mallikarjuna Temple
This temple appears to be a miniature version of the Virupaksha Temple. It was constructed by another wife of Vikramaditya II.
This worship centre was initially known as the Trailokeshvara temple. The pillars of this temple depict various events from Mahabharata and Ramayana. Sculptures of several deities can be seen in the exterior walls of this temple.
Kashivisvanatha Temple
Constructed in the Nagara architectural style, this temple dates back to the eight century.
Galganatha Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and shows him killing Andhakasura, a mythological demon.
Jain Temple
This temple is considered to be built in the 9th century and features some of the beautiful sculptures of that time.
Papanatha Temple
This temple dates back to the 7th century. The sculptures seen in this temple depict the events from Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Inside the temple, there are a total of 16 pillars which showcase figures of females and various couples.
Kadasiddhesvara and Jambulingeswara Temple
Both these temple date back to the 7th century, with the former dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Chandrashekhara Temple
It is a relatively small temple as compared to others, housing a Shivlinga in its sanctum sanctorum.
Apart from visiting the historical temples, tourists can also go to the Museum of the Plains and Sculpture Gallery, located close to the monument group. This museum is administered by Archaeological Survey of India and showcases rare sculptures and artifacts from the ancient period.
Accommodation and Other Facilities
The nearest hotels and lodges are located in Badami. Restaurants and other facilities are also in the same town. Due to its proximity with the village, Badami is the halting centre for the tourists.
Best Time to Visit
The temples and the grounds remain open for the visitor from sunrise to sunset.
The best time to visit this historical site is between the months of October to February.
Entry fee for visitors from India, SAARC and BIMSTEC countries is Rs 10/- per person. Visitors from other countries are required to pay an entry fee of Rs 250/- per person.
How to Reach
The nearest railway junction from Pattadakal is located in the town of Badami, which is well connected with nearby cities and states.
The nearest domestic airport from Pattadakal is located at Belgaum, at a distance of approximately 205 kilometres. The nearest international airport is located in Bangalore, at a distance of approximately 384 kilometres.
Visitors can hire private cabs or drive in their own vehicles to visit and explore the historical monuments of Pattadakal.