Pattadakal

Overview:

Lying between the left banks of the river Malaprabha to the north, and a tiny village to the south, Pattadakal has acquired a holy city of sorts, which is comprised of an impressively eloquent series of eight Hindu temples, all of which are devoted to Lord Shiva. This series of temples belonging to the 8th century monuments is the most prominent feature of this miniscule village. The village of Pattadakal is a part of the Bagalkot district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. Pattadakal, in the regional language of Kannada is called as Pattadakalu.  The name Pattadakal literally translates into ‘a place for Chalukya’s Coronation’. The village was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty. An important milestone in the history of South India is marked by the rule of the Chalukya’s. Considered as a golden age in Karnataka’s history, the Badami Chalukya’s rose to prominence during the reign of Pulakesi II. With the ascendancy of Badami Chalukya’s, the political environment of South India saw a shift of power from the smaller kingdoms to the large empires. Under the rule of the Chalukya’s the south Indian kingdom pioneered the consolidation and dominance of an entire region spreading between the rivers of Kaveri and Narmada. The accession and accretion of this empire stemmed the development of the relatively regional neoteric style of architecture known as the "Chalukyan architecture", along with an efficient administration system, overseas commerce and trade. The sects of the Western Chalukya’s belonging to the Veerashaiva and Jain traditions were eager patronages of Kannada literature, which had previously been the beneficiary of the royal support extended by the Rashtrakuta court in the 9th century. By the 11th century, Telugu literature was encouraged by the Eastern Chalukya’s. Tourists holidaying in south India alternatively undertake a trip, to explore the important tourist center - Pattadakal. The distance from Bangalore to Pattadakal is approximately 515 kilometers. The drive from Bangalore to Pattadakal by car takes around 10 hours. Generally travellers prefer hiring cabs in Bangalore for their travel to Chitradurga. Bangalore cab services ensure that the travel is comfortable, punctual and economical. A moderate temperature prevails throughout the year at Pattadakkal. However, the cool and pleasant winter months starting from October and ending in February is the ideal time for exploring all the world heritage sites at Pattadakkal. Summers from March to mid-May and the monsoons months from mid-May to September should be avoided.

Places of interest:

One of the major tourist attractions in Pattadakal is the Jain Temple. Constructed in the Dravidian style, it houses a few sculptures and idols from the ninth century. The Mallikarjuna Temple was built by the second queen of Vikramaditya, Triloyamahadevi.

Sangameshwara Temple, considered to be one of the oldest temples in the country, was built by the great Chalukya ruler, Vijayaditya Satyashraya. Built in the Dravidian style, it has a hall, a sanctum and an inner passage. Ugranarasimha, Nataraja sculptures adorn the outer walls.

The Virupaksha temple was constructed according to the instructions of Lokamahadevi to honour her husband Vikramaditya II’s victory over the Pallavas. One of the most prominent and popular temple’s of India, the Virupaksha temple is bestowed with intricately carved sculptures, like those of Ravananugraha, Lingodbhava, Ugranarasimha and Nataraja.

Other places to visit in Pattadakal include Mahakuta, Badami Cave Temples, Alampur, Aihole, Lakkhundi, Sudi and others. People usually rent a car from Bangalore to Pattadakal so they can use the car to go sightseeing in and around the place.

Things to do:

Pattadakal is renowned for the numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites which are built in the ancient architecture style which was a fusion of the Dravidian and Nagara styles, which it houses. It is home to some of the temples that date back to the eighth century. Visitors can spend time exploring the various architectural marvels of the place and relaxing in the seclusion and solitude of the proffered by the village.

Alternatively visitors can also explore the Mallikarjuna Temple which is a smaller version of the Virupaksha temple. It was built in 745 by Trilokyamahadevi who was Vikramadiyta's second queen. This temple too was constructed to commemorate the victory over the Pallavas.

Built in the 8th century, by the Rashtrakuta dynasty at Pattadakal, the Kasivisvesvara temple was the last to be built in the early Chalukya style.

Attributed to the 7^th century, the twin temples of Kadasiddhesvara and Jambulingeswara were built in the Nagara style of architecture and resemble the Hucchimalli' Guddi located at Aihole. Both the temples house a Shiva sculpture holding a Trident in his hand.

Toruists can preferentially take a trip to Aihole, which is at a distance of just 10 kilometers from Pattadakal. The ancient city of Aihole along with Pattadakal, were the successive capital cities of the Chalukya dynasty. There are various world heritage sites situated in Aihole as well.

The Archeological Survey of India maintains and runs the Museum of the Plains and Sculpture. The gallery is situated on the Bhutanatha temple road.