Badami – Where Gods Abide in Caves

The emerald-green Agasthya Lake sparkles in the evening light, surrounded by a glowing sandstone outcrop that was once the capital of the Chalukya rulers. This town, which once answered to the name of Vatapi, was built back in the 6th century. Today we know it as Badami, and it is named after the ruddy colour of the rocky cliffs here.

Join LAKSHMI SHARATH on a visual tour of the spectacular rock-cut caves of Badami in Karnataka's Bagalkot district.

1 - 9 of 9

1 - 8 of 9

4 of 9 photos

The first cave is dedicated to Shiva and the pantheon of Gods from Ganesha to Karthikeya, and you are greeted by reliefs and carvings on the ceilings. A sculpture of Shiva with 18 arms in different dance poses takes your breath away. The guide says it probably depicts an early interpretation of Nataraja – Shiva the cosmic dancer.
The first cave is dedicated to Shiva and the pantheon of Gods from Ganesha to Karthikeya, and you are greeted by reliefs and carvings on the ceilings. A sculpture of Shiva with 18 arms in different dance poses takes your breath away. The guide says it probably depicts an early interpretation of Nataraja – Shiva the cosmic dancer.

Loading...