Excursions to Badami | Excursions Around Badami

Badami

There are several sites of tourist interest around the city of Badami. Most of these sites are based on historical importance or pilgrim center. Aihole is a must visit site at a distance of 44 km from Badami. Banashankari Temple at 50 km, Guledgud at 24 km, Lakkundi at 82 km, Mahakuta at 14 km, Naganath Temple at 10 km, Pattadakkal at 22 km, Siddheshwara Temple, Jambulinga Temple and various other temples contributes to the excellent sight seeing tour from the city of Badami. Aihole was also once a capital of Chalukya rulers. It is known for its ancient architectural remains.

The city of Badami is accessible through various means of transportation. One can travel through airplanes, railways or buses. There is a proper roadway connection to this city.

The neighboring states and cities as well as the central and south Indian state can easily access this city through roadways.

Deluxe buses are best for luxurious and comfortable journey.

Bijapur and Hubli are regular in bus services. Belgaum airport is the nearest airport of Badami. This airport is at a distance of 150 km from Badami.

There is a small station in Badami traversed by many rails of south Indian travels.

Places to See In Badami

Cave Temples
Badami Cave Temples are group of 4 cave temples, carved out of a hill opposite Badami fort. of the four, three are Brahmanical, while the fourth is Jain. Almost 2000 steps have to be climbed to reach the cave.

These cave temples are just adjacent to the Bhutanatha tank where Nagamma, Siva & Vishnu shrines can also be seen. The first cave temple houses the Shiva manifested as the eighteen-armed Nataraja displaying remarkable 81 dance poses! The biggest and most enhancing is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. Also a must are the Bhutanatha temples that lend their name to the lake beneath the cave temples.

Badami Fort
Perched on hill top about 2 km. from the town, the fort encompasses large granary, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, double fortification walls and many other architectural marvels. The fort also houses a carved temple raised on top of the northern end of the hill. Malegitti Shivalaya - one of the oldest temples in the region is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is constructed out of stone on a summit of a rocky hill.
It's a 4-hour journey from Bijapur and is connected by rail to Gadag, a convenient stop to get a connecting train to Hospet or Hubli.

Naganath Temple
Naganath Temple is one of the ancient Chalukyan temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple lies amidst the green forest on the way to Mahakuta about 10-km from the Badami town, definitely worth a visit site.

Aihole
Aihole Aihole is well known for its cluster of magnificent temples constructed during the reign of Chalukyan rulers, dating from the sixth to the eighth centuries. The temple lies at a distance of 46 km from Badami.

Serene Lake
Besides a picturesque location the lake flowing near the temple complex has its medicinal value. Visitors go for a holy dip in to the lake, according to a popular story, King Kushataraya was cured of leprosy here.

Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum at Badami is known for some of its ancient specimens. Shiva's bull, "Nandi" at the entrance of the museum is its foremost attraction. The museum is nestling near the reservoir is worthwhile for the intellectuals. Timings: 0900 to 1700 hrs. This museum is closed on Fridays.

Banashankari (5 km.)
Travel to Banashankari, located at a distance of 5 km from Badami.Banashankari temple is dedicated to goddess Banashankari, a configuration of goddess Parvati. The temple is highly worshiped by the weaver community in the town. Built in the Dravidian style, the image depicts the mighty eight-armed goddess seated on a grumbling lion.

There is an annual temple festival celebration in Banashankari, the festival is celebrated with full devotion and enthusiasm. Whole town is decorated, the streets around the temple are taken over by a huge fair, marked by color and liveliness and attended by thousands of devotees.

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