Historical Chalukya Monuments of Karnataka

Not many people know that Karnataka, India has two UNESCO world heritage sites – Hampi & Pattadakal – both located in North Karnataka. Pattadakal, together with Aihole and Badami Caves are major centers of historically important Chalukya monuments. The Chalukya empire ruled from Aihole, Badamai and Pattadakal and you can see architectural marvels in Red sandstone. The beginning of temple architecture in India may well have started from here.

Aihole (pronounced “Eye-ho-lé”), also referred to as Aivalli, Ahivolal or Aryapura, is a historic site of ancient and medieval era Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments in north Karnataka dated from the fourth century through the twelfth century CE. Located around an eponymous small village surrounded by farmlands and sandstone hills, Aihole is a major archaeological site featuring over one hundred and twenty stone and cave temples from this period, spread along the Malaprabha river valley, in Bagalakote district. Aihole is 22 miles (35 km) from Badami and about 6 miles (9.7 km) from Pattadakal. The Durga temple is the best known and studied of the Aihole temples.

Pattadakal is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples. UNESCO has described Pattadakal as “a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India” and an illustration of “eclectic art” at its height. The Hindu temples are generally dedicated to Shiva, but elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism theology and legends are also featured.

The Badami cave temples are a complex of four Hindu, a Jain and possibly Buddhist cave temples located in Badami, a town in the Bagalkot district. The caves are considered an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, especially Badami Chalukya architecture, which dates from the 6th century. Badami was previously known as Vataapi Badami, the capital of the early Chalukya dynasty, which ruled much of Karnataka from the 6th to the 8th century. The Badami cave temples represent some of the earliest known examples of Hindu temples in the Deccan region.