Pattadakal - World Heritage site with 7th and 8th century temples

Pattadakal is a city in Karnataka. The town lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district of North Karnataka region. The group of 8th-century CE monuments in Pattadakal are the culmination of the earliest experiments in the vesara style of Hindu temple architecture. They were designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. The town displays both Dravidian (Southern) and the Nagara (Northern, Indo-Aryan) styles of temple architecture.

Understand

This used to be the site where coronations of Chalukyan kings were performed. The sculpture and architecture here represents the epitome of temple building by the Chalukyans, which began in Aihole. There are no places to stay in either Pattadakal or Aihole and it is best to pack food to take along. Use Badami as a base, and drive out for a day trip to see Aihole, which is further out, and Pattadakal.

Get in

By car

It is 22 km from Badami and about 10 km from Aihole.

By bus

The nearest town to Patadakallu is Badami. Badami is connected by bus services provided by North Western Karnataka Road Trransport Corporation (NWKRTC), a Karnataka state government undertaking. NWKRTC provides bus services regularly and daily to different cities like Hubballi (Hubli), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Bagalkote, Vijayapura (Bijapur), Gadag and Hospete (Hospet). From Badami one can take auto to reach Pattadakal or local bus.

By train

The nearest railway station to Pattadakal is Badami. Indian Railways run trains from Bengaluru and Hubballi (Hubli) to Bagalkot and Solapur. Some of these trains do stop at Badami and most at Bagalkot which is at 45 km from Pattadakallu. There is train from Mumbai CSMT (11139/ 11140) to Gadag through Pune and Solapur which stops at Bagalkot and runs six days a week.

By plane

Hubballi (Hubli) airport (aerodrome) is the nearest about 140 km away.

Get around

The group of temples (monuments) are next to each other. There is an entry fee to temple complex charged by Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which looks after these ancient temples. Entry fee are different for Indian citizens and foreign nationals. Photography and videography fee are charged extra. Parking fee is also levied at some places.

See

• Chandrashekhara temple.
• Galganatha Temple, 15.95020°, 75.81623°. Galaganatha Temple was built in the architecture style of Rekha Nagara Prasada. Temple contains a sculpture of Lord Shiva killing the demon Andhakasura.
• Jain Temple.
• Jambulinga temple. This shrine is found behind the Galganatha Temple.
• Jambulingeswara Temple.
• Kadasiddhesvara Temple, 15.95051°, 75.81608°. Kadasiddhesvara Temple has several well executed idols of Shiva, Parvathi and Vishnu and other divinities on the outer wall.

• Kashivisvanatha Temple.
• Mallikarjuna Temple, 15.94946°, 75.81579°. Mallikarjuna Temple is in Dravidian style and it is similar to Sanghameshvara temple in design, construction and sculpture, but smaller in size.
• Mahakuteshwara.
• Naganatha Temple.

• Papanatha Temple.

• Sangameshvara Temple, 15.94985°, 75.81623°. Sangameshvara Temple is the oldest temple in Pattadakal which was built by Chalukya King Vijayaditya Satyashraya between 696CE and 733CE.
• Virupaksha Temple.
• Papanatha Temple, 15.9477°, 75.8164°. Papanatha Temple was built around 680CE and has sculptures of scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharatha. 2016-01-25

Do

Buy

Souvenirs sold at shops.

Eat

Pack food for the trip as there are no good restaurants in and around Pattadakal. There are local village women who sell Jolada rotti (Jowar or Sorghum bread), Chutney and Palya (cooked vegetable). Also there are some shacks which sell tea and other eatables.

Drink

Buttermilk especially after meals and during hot days, to keep hydrated. Tea laced with milk is another favourite of local people.

Sleep

There are decent hotels at Badami and Bagalkote to stay according to one's budget. Clark's Inn, Mayura Chalukya are prominent hotels in Badami. There are Sangam Deluxe, Mookambika Deluxe, Royal Deluxe lodges at Badami.

Stay safe

Summer months of March, April and May will be very hot in this region. Drink water or buttermilk in plenty to replenish your fluids. BSNL (Cellone) mobile signals are available at these places. Do not write, damage on structures of these temples. There is an information desk at the entrance of the temple and guides are available on payment. Do carry battery backup and torch (flashlight) as electricity supply can be irregular sometimes. Do not travel in the night as some interior roads may be isolated and dark. Public transport is comparatively safe.

Go next

• Aihole
• Badami
• Dharwad
• Hampi
• Udupi
• Mangalore