Tourism
Bagalkote is an ancient city situated at a distance of 30 kilo meters from the historical place Badami, known historically as Vatapipur, a capital city of Veerapulakeshi. Bagalkote city is a place of birth of famous Daspoet called Prasanna Venkatadas.The major portion of the city as per the water levels of the Upper Krishna Project, was subjected to submergence.
Bagalkote, earlier, a part of Bijapur district, was carved out as a separate district in 1997. This area is home to some of the finest examples of temple architecture in the world. Pattadakall, with its complex of magnificent temples, has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Bagalkote, the district headquarters is a commercial town and major hub of the area. Here are examples of most beautiful architectures
AIHOLE:
Once the capital of the early Chalukyan dynasty (6th to 8th centuries), Aihole is a picturesque village on the banks of the Malaprabha river. Variously called Ayyavole & Aryapura in the inscriptions, Aihole is historically famous as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are about 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered all over the villages and nearby fields. Most of these temples were built between the 6th & 8th centuries and some even earlier.
Excavations near some temples have yielded traces of antique pottery and bases of structures constructed with bricks of pre-Chalukyan times. More temples are being excavated every day bearing witness to the vigorous experimentation on temple architecture which went on at Aihole more than 14 centuries ago. In that Durga Temple is famous for its architecture. The durga temple has a semicircular apse, and a sanctum, circled by a richly carved colonnaded passageway.
PATTADAKALL:
Twenty two kilo meters from Aihole, on the left bank of the Malaprabha river, is Pattadakall, second capital of the chalukyas, used mainly for coronations of kings. Pattadakall, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, was an experimentation ground for temple architecture. On therefore one hand you sees two main types of temple architecture side by side. On the one hand you see the curvilinear shikharas (spires) of the Kashivishweshwara, Jambuling and Galaganatha temples. One the other hand you see the temples of Mallikarjuna, Sangameshwara and Virupaksha with this square roofs and reading tiers. The most important monuments here are the Virupakasha and the Mallikarjuna temples built between 740-745 A.P to commemorate the victory of Vikramaditya, the 2nd over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
BADAMI:
22 Km from Pattadakal, Badami, a taluk headquarters town was once the capital of the Chalukyas. The area is a treasure house of architecture and sculpture, and makes some of the earliest and finest examples of rock cut caves and free standing temple architecture. They provided the caves and free standing temple architecture. They provided the blueprints for the temples that were built later all over South India. The four caves, can be reached by Climbing the stone steps that are cut on the face of the sand stone cliffs. White the first there caves one dedicated to the gods of the Hindu pantheon, the last cave is a Jain temple which has several Jain deities including a huge idol of Parshwanatha.
The caves overlook a large lake, at the eastern edge of which are the water side Bhutanath temples. At the north west of the lake is the Archaeological Museum, which has superb examples of local sculpture.
BANASHANKARI
5 K.m. from Badami is Banashankari is one of the most ancient Shrines in Karnataka, dedicated to the Goddess by the same name drawing thousands of devotees. Harishchandra Teertha, a large scared pool in front of the temple is a fine example of Chalukyan architecture
MAHAKUTA:
5 km from Badami, set admits a huge forest is the shrine of Mahakuteshwara temple, with a courtyard containing 15 small temples with intricate sculptures, the temple is approached by wading through water
KOODALSANGAMA:
About 50 Km from Bagalkot City, this pilgrim center situated at the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha is well known for the Sangameshwara temple built in the Chalukyan style. According to legend, Saint Jathavedamuni, established a knowing center here, in the 12thcentury where the poet and social reformer Basavanna, is said to have spent his childhood and equaled his education. At the end of his revolutionary reforms, he became a Lingaikya (one with Shiva) and this spot is marked by a Mantapa (Pavition) with a linga.
After this area was inundated by water, after the damming of the river, it has been converted into a stop well, that can be approached through the connecting bridge from the Sangameshwara temple. The town, has in recent years, developed into an important pilgrim entire with many facilities.
How to Reach
Air : Nearest airport is Hubli, Belgaum, Bangalore
This Page maintened by Shri C.S.Bilagi, OM
