An Experience Closed to Heart

Karnataka is a hub of culture & heritage. As such, we planned a road trip for the heritage sites which included also world heritage locations. The road trip was planned for 4 days out of which, 3 days were reserved for places like Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi & Bijapur.

The first destination planned was Badami in a sequence & the distance from Bangalore was quite long. Hence we covered half a distance till Davanagere on the previous night. Effortlessly, driving on the four lane highway. The next day the last lane to Badami covered 500 kms.

We realized Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal are almost interrelated & nearby. However, the only place were one can find comfortable accommodation is Badami. Except couple of decent hotels, the efforts of Government for setting up infrastructure have not been witnessed. The roads is another problem. However, the distance between the sites is just 20 kms. Hence manageable.

On day 1, we reached Badami at noon, checked into the hotel & had lunch. Thereafter, decided to explore Pattadakal, Aihole. These regions are quite dry & would remind you the desert landscape. The localites have frugal life & the area is poverty driven. This is in actually sharp contrast with the locations around Hampi where lush green fields greet you. Thanks to the Tungabhadra dam. Aihole is just around 12km from Pattadakal which was earlier known Ayyavole & Aryapura. This was the first capital of Chalukyas before shifting to Vatapi, now called Badami. In this region, around 125 big & small temples exist in old & ruined condition. Aihole mythology says Parashurama (incarnation of Vishnu) washed his axe in Malaprabha river killing the Kshatriya’s clan. River turned red due to blood & local lady after seeing shouted ‘Ayyo, Hole!’ (oh no, blood flow). As such, it was named as ‘Aihole’. Another story is that of Saint Agastya who killed demon Ilvala here. Hence named ‘Aihole’. Ayya Hole which denotes ‘city of scholars’ in Sanskrit. Hence the name “Aihole”.

The attraction of Aihole is the Durga temple which resembles Indian Parliament building. The temple was built during 7^th & 8^th century by Chalukyas. The temples is Dravidian with Nagara style of architecture. In fact, this temple is of either Vishnu or Shiva. The temples are of solid granites perfectly cut & organized. Carvings on the pillars depict what the ancient people could do.  Temple is must see & masterpiece of Aihole.

We spent around 2 hours to enjoy the beauty of these group of monuments & the most imposing amongst them is Virupaksha temple. The interesting aspect of these temples that these were used for worshipping Shiva.

The most appreciating is ASI maintains these sites quite well & the temples are surrounded by lush green lawn. With the contrast, with the monuments they adore.

The experience is really heart touching & it was more accentuated by our stay in Clarksinn hotel at Badami. The comforts offered by Clarksinn were unparalleled to the location.

Related tags : Hotels in Badami, Budget Hotels in Badami, 

Book room online: Clarksinn Badami

TRAINGLE OF ARCHEOLOGY MIRACLE

Aihole, Padatkal and Badami are three points are miracles of Rock cut ancient Archeological History. Visitors generally visit Hampi to see the beautiful ruins of Vijayanagar Empire. However on the way to Hampi these three spots tourist can cover easily with a overnight stay in Badami Town.

Aihole, Padatkal and Badami can be covered in a day by a cab and leisure stay in Badami Hotels. All these three towns are chronical of the same history but little far away from each other. Visitors really mesmerize by Rock Cut Cave Temples of Badami.

Reaching Badami

One can reach Badami by Road or Train. Badami is situated in Bagalkot District of Karnataka India just30 kms away from the District Head Quarters Bagalkot. Nearby Towns of Badami include Bijapur (120kms), Gadag (70 kms), Hubli (105kms) and Hospet (130 Kms) you can reach Badami fro Hyderabad (420 kms) and Bengaluru (500 kms). Badami is well connected by Government Public Buses from Gadag, Bijapur and Hubli which inturn are further connected to major cities of India by Road and Rail Network. Visitors need to check the timings of the buses to plan their travel.

Badami Railway station is just 5kms away from the Town and the Trains from Hubli to Bijapur stop at Badami Station. However the major Railway Stations located near Badami are Gadag, Hospet, Hubli and Bijapur.

Badami is about 20-30 kms from Padatkal. Badami has attraction of 4 cave temples carved out of huge monolithic rocks. The temples are one of Lord Shiva, 2 of Vishu and one dedicated to Jainism. The temples are awe inspiring and need to experience personally; the narration is of no use.

The important places one has to visit in Badami are:-

• Archeological Museum of Badami 
• Agastya Lake 
• Bhootnath Temple Complex
• Badami Fort and Pricings 
• Badami Caves

Walking in the middle of ancient ruins is a nostalgic experience and mesmerizing.

The sinic beauty of Badami is eyes luring. Once you reach Badami you need to freshen up in the morning and relaxing stay in the night after pleasurable tour of Aihole, Padatkal and Badami. The Solution is Hotel Clarksinn. It is the best and vibrant Business cum leisure destination hotel in the heart of Badami.

The Whole-day experience of Archeological Marvels needs to be supplemented by relaxing evening stay. Clarksinn Hotel provides you what you need and want. The Hotel is affordable and best budget hotel in Badami and nearby areas offers you luxury and comfort in stay with its quality service. Good hospitality and tasty food en reaches your experience of Travel.

Think of Badami, think of Clarksinn, both are amazing.

Trio of Heritage - Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole

Karnataka in India has many ancient heritage site rich in culture and architecture. Historically Karnataka has witnessed many dynasties and those kings had left their impressions by Archaeological Marvels.

BADAMI, PATTADAKAL AND AIHOLE is a Trio of heritage of Chalukya Empire. Badami was Regal Capital of Chalukyas and known as Vatapi from AD 540 to 757. The sinic and beautiful location around Agasytha Temple and famous rock cut Structural Temples are Badami’s Marvel, Pattadakal is a World heritage site is just 22 kms from Badami and 10 kms from AIHOLE. The major attraction of PATTADAKAL is a group of Temples from different period of time. The historical temple concept of Chalukyas Empire in AIHOLE.

AIHOLE

AIHOLE is basically considered as the heritage of Hindu Temple Architecture. There are many inscriptions here depict the achievements of great Chalukyan Kings Pulakeshi II. Infact the Chalukyan Architectural style is originated in AIHOLE.

It is worth seeing AIHOLE which is just 2hrs drive from Hospet.

BADAMI

BADAMI being a Capital of Chalukyas, the real archaeological monuments are found here. Cake temples made out of Monolithic Rocks are unbelievable. Total 4 Cave Temples devoted to one for Lord Shiva, 2 for Lord Vishnu and solely dedicated to Jainism. The view of this Temple is really Jaw stretching. The main entrance from where you see the front Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Temple’s Crest is actually a fort. The Canel on the fort is still present as on date. Unfortunately the entry to the fort is not permitted now to avoid on toward incidents.

Lord Nagaraja, the divine cosmic Dancer and the Ganapathi are looking utmost beautiful.

The Ganapathi’s depiction as Ardhanareeshwara is really awesome. One of the Lord Vishnu Temple has Parvati on the left and Shiva on the right side.

PATTADAKAL 

PATTADAKAL is marked as World Heritage Site has group of Temples. Each Temple had a different time frame and evolution of Architectural Advancements.

Many foreign Nationals very often visit the Sites. However the Indians are seen less. The Banashankari Temple at Badami is the religious centre where many Indians regularly visit.

It is worthwhile to visit these Archeological Marvels once in lifetime.

For Stay in Badami: Visit Clarks Inn Hotel in Badami