CHALUKYAN HERITAGE

 CHALUKYAN HERITAGE

In The Cave Temples of Badami, a town in the Bagalkot district in the northern portion of Karnataka, India, there is a complex of Hindu and Jain cave temples. The caves, the oldest of which dates to the sixth century, are significant examples of Indian rock-cut architecture, particularly Badami Chalukya architecture.

The early Chalukya dynasty dominated parts of Karnataka from the 6th to the 8th century, and its capital was Vataapinagara, today known as Badami. Badami is located on the western shore of a man-made lake that is encircled by an earthen wall with stone stairs. Forts that were constructed subsequently surround Badami on the north and south. Stella Kramrisch found these caverns in 1924.

The Temples In The Badami Caves

    The temples in the Badami Caves were constructed between the 6th and 8th centuries by the Chalukya Kings, Kirtivarman and Mangalesha. The cave temples are numbered 1 to 4 according to their creation. However, the exact date of construction is only known for the temple in Cave 3. An inscription in the temple records that King Mangalesha dedicated the temple to Vishnu in Saka 500 (lunar calendar, 578/579 CE). The inscription written in Halegannada (Old Kannada) is proof that it’s the oldest firmly-dated Hindu cave temple in India.

The four cave temples are carved into the steep cliff face, above a man-made lake called Agastya Theertha. The temples are carved into the monolithic stone face of the red sandstone cliff. The cave temples are connected by over 200 steps carved into the mountain. The interconnecting steps have intermediate terraces that overlook the town of Badami and the lake below. The temples in Caves 1 to 3 are dedicated to Hindu gods, whereas Cave 4 is dedicated to Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. 

Each of the Badami Cave temples has an entrance with a mukhamantapa (verandah) that is supported by stone columns and brackets. The mukhamantapa leads to a maha mantapa (main hall), which is also supported by several columns. The main hall leads to the garbha griha (a shrine with an idol of the presiding deity). The cave temples are built in the Nagara and Dravidian styles of architecture. The caves also have superb sculptures and artwork in the Deccan, Nagara, Dravida and Vesara styles

• Cave 1: Dedicated To Shiva 

The first of the caves in the Badami Cave Temples is built 59 feet above ground level towards the north-western part of the hill. Cave 1 is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum or shrine) has an idol of shiva linga. The walls, ceiling and columns of the cave are covered with sculptures and carvings of Shiva and his sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. There are several other sculptures of the goddess Parvati (consort of Shiva) and her different avatars. All the sculptures of the gods and goddesses are adorned with carved ornaments. The figures are surrounded by borders with reliefs of floral garlands, animals and birds.

• Cave 2: Dedicated To Vishnu

The second cave in the Badami Caves complex is towards the east of Cave 1. The second cave temple faces the north and is a mere 64 steps above Cave 1. The temple in Cave 2 is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The floor plan in Cave 2 is similar to the first cave, it has a verandah, a main hall and a shrine. The walls, ceilings and pillars in the cave are carved and sculpted like those in Cave 1. 

The sculptures in the cave depict the various avatars of Vishnu. The interior of the cave temple is decorated with friezes which depict stories from Hindu texts, like the ‘Bhagavata Purana’. The friezes depict the legends of the samudra manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean) and the birth of Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) among several others.

• Cave 3:  The Largest Of The Cave Temples

60 steps away from Cave 2 is the third cave, which is at a higher altitude than the second cave. Cave 3 is the largest of the Badami Cave temples and is also the oldest-dated Hindu temple in the Deccan region. The cave, which faces towards the north, has been carved 60 feet deep into the mountain. The temple in Cave 3 is mainly dedicated to Vishnu, but there are sculptures of different avatars of Shiva as well. So the temple in Cave 3 is important to Shaivism studies too.

Like the other two caves, cave 3 is also decorated extensively with sculptures and frescoes. Some of them are faded and broken, but they are the earliest known proof of fresco painting in Indian art. Some of the artworks in this cave also show the artists signatures and other inscriptions. According to the epigraphical evidence in the cave, the temple was possibly inaugurated on a “full moon day, 1 November 578

• Cave 4: Dedicated To The Jain Tirthankaras

Cave 4 in the Badami Caves complex is on a slightly lower level than Cave 3. The fourth cave, which is the smallest of the Badami cave temples is located right next to the third cave. This temple is dedicated to the Jain tirthankaras, the revered figures of Jainism. This temple is believed to have been constructed in the later part of the 7th century by Hindu kings. 

Cave 4 is also decorated with detailed sculptures and a diverse range of motifs. Some of the embellishments in the cave suggest that they were added much later, during the 11th and 12th centuries. The walls of the cave are carved with the figures of Bahubali, Parshvanatha, Mahavira and several other Jain tirthankaras. The small shrine inside the temple has an idol of Mahavira resting on a pedestal.

The Bhutanatha Temple

The temple on the east side of the Agasthya Tirtha is the famous Bhutanatha temple, built in the style of the early Eastern Chalukyas. The style is a blend of North Indian and early South Indian temple architecture. This temple seems to have been built in two stages. The inner hall and the shrine reflect the style of the Eastern Badami Chalukyas, while the outer hall represents the style of the Kalyani Chalukyas of the west. The inner hall has massive pillars and the bays are decorated with lotus designs. On one side of the doorway of the shrine stands Goddess Ganga, riding the makara, while on the other side is river Yamuna. She is depicted as riding the tortoise. The Shiva Linga in the shrine is believed to be of a later date, put in by the Lingayats

Agastya Lake Badami

The cave temples are on the south west part of the lake, Bhoothanatha temples is on the eastern banks and the fort on the north western side. All the caves face the lake and one of them has ruins of Buddha inside it. As per Puranas, Pushkarini was a pleasure of tank of Lord Vishnu in his abode. Lord’s vehicle, Garuda, brought it here and set it.

Agastya Lake has wonderful surroundings and the visitors can enjoy lovely views of the hills and some historical monuments as well. Bhoothanatha temples that look like it is emerging from the lake is a great sight with a huge hillock in the backdrop. This lake is also a popular picnic spot amidst locals as well as tourists. The other nearby temples have a wonderful architecture and are festooned with superb sculptures.

The lake has been named after Rishi Agastya, one of the Saptarishis. According to legend Badami has its origin in the Vatapi legend in the great Hindu epic of Ramayana relating to the Sage. Using the sandstone rocks around the lake with gaps in them, act as pathways for climbing up the nearby hill.

Banashankari Temple, Badami.

Banashankari temple, also known as Banashankari Amma temple, is located at Cholachagudd near Badami, Karnataka. It is one amongst the most famous Hindi shrines in the state. Several stories and beliefs revolve around the temple regarding its construction, history, and culture. However, the most exciting fact about this temple is that the people worship 'Rahukala' which is considered inauspicious as per Hindu culture. The devotees pray to Rahukala to let go of all the miseries, poverty and inauspiciousness from their life.

The Banashankari temple has a past of harmony, being constructed and renovated in the Dravidian and Nagara architectural styles. It has maintained its tradition of unity in the religious cum cultural festival of Banashankari Jatre every January, where people from Karnataka and adjacent states pour in to show their devotion and also witness in the cultural programmes and the fair. The Haridra Tirtha is a pond in the temple complex with a tall lamp over a three-story structure and this is an architectural marvel.

Pattadakal, Karnataka

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River, is well known for its finely chiselled temples and is a witness to the splendour of Chalukyan architecture from the 7th and 8th centuries. The temples in Pattadakal are evidence of the wealth and enduring beauty of Chalukyan architecture. It comprises a collection of ten significant temples, each with a unique architectural style. The settlement was referred to as "Perti gal" by the renowned geographer Ptolemy (about 150 AD). Even the centre of ceremonies for crowning and remembering kings was there. The temple complex at Pattadakal features Dravidian, Aryan, and a combination of the two architectural styles, making it likely the only one of its sort in India. There is an artwork.

        Pattadakal was commissioned at the peak of Chalukyan rule, but no palaces stand in its over 220-acre stretch. What exists are only Hindu temples dedicated to lord Shiva, and a Jain temple slightly secluded from the rest. Back in the day, the site was sacred. It was where kings were crowned, and temples were commissioned by their queens in gratitude for their husband’s glorious return from battle. The name of the site itself translates to “coronation stone”. The most widely known temple here—the Virupaksha temple—is a grand spectacle purportedly built by queen Loka Mahadevi.

 Friezes depicting narrative the Mahabharata and Ramayana decorate the temple walls, and if you look at the inscriptions closely enough, you can decipher the names of the architects who created them. Another magnificent structure is the Mallikarjuna temple, also known as the Trailokeswara temple in honour of queen Trailokya Mahadevi. Anecdotal claims suggest it was she who had the temple constructed in celebration of Chalukyan victory over the Pallavas