Badami, situated at a distance of around 500 Km from Bangalore, Badami is famous for cave temples, rock cut sculptures & red sandstone structures around Agastya lake.
Badami History:
Badami has its history rooted to Ved and Puranas. Badami is also known as Vatapi. Badami is also known as Vatapi because the devil Vatapi was killed by sage Agastya in this area.
Currently, the rock-cut Badami Cave Temples that remain intact were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th centuries. There is a total of four cave temples in Badami and each cave temple represents a different religion. Those religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Out of the four cave temple, cave one is devoted to lord Shiva, and Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated to lord Vishnu. The last cave four has some reliefs of Jain Tirthankaras.
Badami Cave temples:
Cave temples in Badami are made up of red sandstone. There are also a lot of pillars with carvings showing the reincarnation of the Hindu Gods.
To reach the cave temples, you will have to drive through the narrow streets of Badami. So, it is advisable to start early for the cave temples as it might get crowded around 9 to 10 AM.
Visiting Badami cave temples take around one to two hours. There are other places of interests near Badami like Aihole, Pattadakkal etc.
Badami Entry fee: 15 / person
There is an entry fee of Rs 15 per person to enter the cave temples. You will have to walk around 20 stairs to reach to the cave temples. This place is usually crowded on the weekends but there is enough space to enjoy there.
Parking near Badami cave temples:
Just at the foot of the Badami cave temples, there is a parking space. The parking space is little smaller compared to the number of visitors who like to visit this place. There is also a vehicle parking fee of Rupees 50 per vehicle. Near the parking, there is a canteen and a bathroom also.
In different cave temples, you can see different avatars of God Shiva and Vishnu. There is also a very nice of the Agastya lake from the top. There is a lot to see if you love rock-carvings and you are into photography.
Agastya lake, Badami:
Agastya lake can be clearly seen from the Badami cave temples which are situated at a height. There is also a temple at the end of the lake and there is also a museum on the other side of the lake.
Agastya lake is around 10 minutes of walk from the Badami cave temples. You can take bath in there. But be careful, it is a very deep lake or pond.
Staying in Badami:
We stayed at a hotel named Badami court hotel which is around 1 Km north of the Badami town. We stayed there. They have a swimming pool and very nice service and food as well.
Badami Photos:
Agastya lake as seen from Badami cave temples
Badami cave temples
Badami red sandstone and agastya lake
Badami
Lord vishnu rock carving in Badami