About Pattadakal

Country: India | State: Karnataka

Ideal Trip Duration: 4 Hours/Half Day

Nearest City to Pattadakal: Hubli (122 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Pattadakal: October to March

Peak Season: December to January

At a distance of 13 km from Aihole, 21 km from Badami, 45 km from Bagalkot, 122 km from Hubli, and 439 km from Bangalore, Pattadakal is a famous heritage site in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. Situated on the banks of Malaprabha River, it is one of the must include places in Karnataka Tour Packages.

Pattadakal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Badami & Aihole under the Chalukyan Group of Monuments. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Karnataka. Pattadakal is the place where the coronation of Chalukyan kings took place. Pattadakal, along with Aihole, is considered the cradle for South Indian Temple architecture. The main complex has about 10 temples which are the must-visit places as part of Pattadakal tour packages.

The monuments at Pattadakal were constructed between the 6th and 9th centuries. The temples at Pattadakal are larger and grandeur with extensive artwork compared to the early stage temples of Aihole. It seems the Chalukyas enhanced their temple construction skills with the experiments they performed at Aihole and built larger temples at Pattadakal. The temples are built in different architectural styles representing Dravidian, Nagara, Phamsana, and Gajaprastha models. The best structures are located inside a secured complex with a large compound and open area adjacent to Pattadakal village.

Virupaksha Temple, Sangameshwara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Kashivisvanatha Temple & Galganatha Temple are the prominent places to visit in Pattadakal. Pattadakal can also be visited along with Aihole & Badami Tour Packages.

About 128 km from Pattadakal, Hubli Airport is the nearest airport that has direct flights from Bangalore, and Mumbai. About 20 km away from Pattadakal, Badami Railway Station is the nearest railhead that has well train connectivity with Gadag, Solapur, Bangalore, Pune, Hubli, and Bijapur. About 82 km fromPattadakal, Gadag is the nearest major railway station that has well-train connectivity with cities like Hubli, Bangalore, Hospet, Solapur, Bellary, Guntakal, Tirupati, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, and Kolkata. Pattadakal is well-connected by bus with Badami and Bagalkot.

Pattadakal has no accommodation facilities. However, one can book a stay at nearby Badami that has a wide range of hotels for tourists that range from budget to five-star hotels. The properties offer luxurious cottages, suites, and family rooms for their guests equipped with all the modern amenities to make their stay comfortable.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Internet Not Available
STD Code: 08357
Languages Spoken: Kannada, Hindi, English
Major Festivals: Chalukya Utsava / Badami Festival / Pattadakal Dance Festival (Dec), Banashankari Temple Festival (Jan/Feb), Virupaksha Temple Car Festival (Mar)
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Pattadakal

By Air

Nearest Airport: Hubli - Hubli Airport (128 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Badami (20 Kms)
Bagalkot (45 Kms)
Gadag (82 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Pattadadal Bus Stand (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

Heritage

#1 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 400 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Virupaksha Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine located in Pattadakal, Karnataka. It is the biggest and most ravishing of all temples in Pattadakal, and among the must include places in Pattadakal Tour Packages.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Virupaksha Temple is the only functioning shrine in the temple complex, and among the popular places to visit in Pattadakal. The temple was constructed in 745 AD by the Chalukyan ruler Vikramaditya's consort Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate his victory over Pallavas of Kanchi.

Built in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple has three mukhamandapas on three sides with a large stone gateway on the East towards Malaprabha River. A large pillared hall is following by a sanctum with a circular path for pradakshinas. The mukhamandapas and the pillars .....

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Heritage

#2 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 400 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Mallikarjuna Temple is another grand temple in Pattadakal situated just beside Virupaksha Temple inside the temple complex. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is similar to Virupaksha Temple in architecture but little smaller in size.

The temple is constructed in 745 AD by the second wife of Chalukyan ruler Vikramaditya. Built in Dravidian style, the temple has three mukhamandapas on three sides with a partially collapsed stone nandi mandapa in front of the temple. A large pillared hall is following by sanctum. The mukhamandapas and the pillars of the hall have wonderful carvings of gods and scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Panchatantra. The ceiling of the temple is also adorned with beautiful figures.

Some of the famous carvings in Mallikarjuna Temple include Mahishasuramardhini chasing demon, Gurukula, scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana Wars, scenes from Yashodhara Charitha, Royal Lady, Kama and Vasantha, Monkey .....

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Heritage

#3 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 400 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Kashi Vishwanatha Temple situated adjacent to Mallikarjuna Temple inside the temple complex is a wonderful 8th century temple built in Nagara style.

This is believed to be the last Hindu temple built in Pattadakal monuments. The temple has only sanctum and antarala left and the remaining parts are collapsed. The sanctum is supported by two pillars and has a Shivalinga carved out of black stone. The doorway of the sanctum has a carving of Garuda holding snakes. Bottom of the doorway has nice sculptures of female figures in different postures.

The pillars of the temple have nice carvings with great details. One of the pillars has a nicely engraved image of Siva-Parvathi marriage and another one with Krishna Leela from Bhagavatam. Other images on the pillars include Ravana lifting Kailasa, Lord Shiva chasing demo Tripurasura

There are also few pillar reliefs of men riding mythical animals. The ceiling has a large .....

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Heritage

#4 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 700 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand & Temple Complex entrance, Papanatha Temple is a large structure built on the banks of Malaprabha River outside the main temple complex. This temple can be reached by walking down along the river bed from Virupaksha Temple gateway. This temple is dedicated to Muktewara, a form of Lord Shiva.

Built in a mix of Nagara and Dravidian architecture, this temple dates back to 680 AD. The vimana on top of the sanctum in built in nagara style, while the mukhamandapa facing east, rangamandapa and antarala are acquired from Dravidian style. The sanctum has a narrow circumambulatory path for pradakshinas. On three sides of the outer walls of sanctum, there are pillared porticos with sculptures of dancing Shiva.

This temple is famous for the carvings of scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The sabhamandapa has 16 pillars with medium size sculptures of men & women. There is also a sculpture of Mahishasura Mardhini with 8 hands.

The .....

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Heritage

#5 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 300 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Sangameshwara Temple situated between Galaganatha and Virupaksha temples inside the temple complex is the oldest temple in Pattadakal. It was commissioned by Chalukyan ruler Vijayaditya in the year 720 AD, but it seems the construction was never completed. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is similar to Virupaksha Temple in style but a smaller size.

The two tier Dravidian type sikhara is an experiment stared here which was implemented in ]temples of Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna and still being followed in South India. The temple has two entrances on north and south. The large rangamandapa with 20 pillars is partially ruined and there are two sub shrines for Mahishasura Mardhini & Ganesha. There is a ruined Nandi mandapa in front of the temple. The sanctum has a circular path for pradakshinas. There are few good sculptures on the outer wall like those of Ugranarasimha & Nataraja.

There are inscriptions on the temple .....

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Heritage

#6 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 300 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Galaganatha Temple is a historical temple situated ahead of Sangameshwara Temple inside the Pattadakal temple complex. It is one of the must visit places as part of Pattadakal Tour Packages.


Galaganatha Temple is a beautiful temple constructed at the beginning of the 8th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is built in Nagara style with a linga, and a vestibule (antarala) within the temple sanctum. Outside the temple is a seated Nandi that faces the sanctum. The entrance to the mantapa is flanked by the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna. The architecture of the temple is the resemblance of Sangameswara Temple at Alampur in Telangana State.

The Galagatha temple is mostly in ruins, except for the southern part which contains a carved slab showing an eight-armed Shiva killing the demon Andhaka while wearing a garland of skulls as a yajnopavita (sacred thread .....

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Heritage

#7 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 300 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Jambulinga Temple situated behind Galaganatha Temple inside the temple complex is a small shrine constructed in 7th century.

The temple is constructed in Nagara style with sanctum and a small mandapa. This temple is constructed in the lines of Huchchimalli Temple in Aihole, but small in size. The sukanasi of the temple has a carved image of Lord Shiva with Parvathi. The temple is built on a high plinth having five moldings with decorated miniature ganas and birds.

The walls of the sanctum have sculptures of Siva, Surya and Vishnu.

Complex Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entrance: Rs. 10 for Person, & Rs. 25 for Camera

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Heritage

#8 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 300 meters from Pattadakal Bus Stand & Temple Complex entrance, Kadasiddeshwara Temple is the first temple you encounter in the temple complex. It is a small 8th century structure built in Nagara style.


Kadasiddeshwara Temple is relatively small with a sanctum and hall built on an elevated platform. There is a fine sculpture of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. At the entrance, nicely carved dwarapalakas welcome the tourists. The upper part of the outer wall has good carvings of dwarf figures and birds. The outer wall of the sanctum has beautiful sculptures of Ardhanareeswara, Shiva and Harihara.

Complex Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entrance: Rs. 10 for Person, & Rs. 25 for Camera

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Heritage

#9 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 1 km from Pattadakal Bus Stand, Jain Temple is an ancient temple situated in Pattadakal. It is one of the prominent places to visit in Pattadakal.

The Jaina Temple was built during the 9th century, possibly with sponsorship from the Rashtrakuta King Krishna II or the Kalyani Chalukyas. Unlike the other nine temples of Pattadakal, the Jain Narayana Temple lacks Hindu deities and intricate panels like the other nine temples but instead has a statue of a Jina carved into the north side kapota eave.

Built-in Dravidian style, the temple has a large Mukha mandapa followed by Rangamandapa and sanctum. Built on an elevated platform, the Mukha mandapa has 16 round-shaped pillars. The life-size elephant statues on both sides of the doorway welcome the tourists. The Mukha mandapa has stone benches with back support. The outer walls of the back support have nice carvings of human figures, .....

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Heritage

#10 of 11 Places to Visit in Pattadakal

At a distance of 36 km from Bagalkot, 104 km from Hubli & 457 km from Bangalore, Badami, also called Vatapi, is a historical place situated in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. It is one of the best Karnataka tourist places, and among the top places to visit near Hubli.

Badami was the capital of mighty Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD who ruled Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, & Maharashtra between the 6th & 8th centuries. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Karnataka. Cave temples, fortresses, fine carvings, wonderful architecture, and breathtaking views are the must include places in Badami holiday packages.

Badami is located in a valley at the foot of a red sandstone rock formation that surrounds Agastya Lake. Overlooking the sandstone cave temples, Badami Fort and several temples are lined up on the shores of .....

Distance (From Pattadakal): 21 Kms
Trip Duration (From Pattadakal - Including Travel): Full Day
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Top 3 Pattadakal Tour Packages