STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
KARNATAKA
Pattadakal
Pattadakal
(16 kms from Badami), located on the banks of the Mallaprabha river was
the third Chalukyan capital. Temples in both southern & northern
style are found side by side. This town served as the royal coronation
site. Pattadakal was also known by other names such as Raktapura
& Pattadakal Kisuvolal (Red Town), for the sand stone used for the
construction of the temples was red sand stone.
The Paapanaath
temple was built in the northern style in the 7th century, the architecture
bearing resemblances of various influences, the interior being similar
to rock cut cave temples.
The important
among the southrn style temples are the Sangameswara temple, Virupaksha
temple & Mallikarjuna temple. The earliest was the Sangameshwara
temple built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (697 – 733 A.D).
Sketch of a sculpture in Patadakal - Sketch by Suamthi
Virupaaksha
& Mallikarjuna temples dedicated to Lord Shiva were built by the two
queens of Vikramaditya II, Lokamahadevi and Trailokamahadevi around
740A.D to commemorate their king Vikramaditya's victory over the Pallavas.
The temples were originally named after the two queens Lokeswara &
Trailokeswara. Both temples are similar in structure & design.
Though the Mallikarjuna temple is smaller in size, it boasts of much
greater sculptural display. In front of both temples is a Nandi mandapam
housing a huge majestic 2.6 m high Nandi. The interior wall sbear
sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabaratha, Bhagavata and
Panchatantra.
A remarkable
piece of work is a carving designed to look like an elephant from one side
and a bull from the other. Navagrahas, Dikpalakas, Nataraja carvings
can be seen on the ceiling panels. Lingodbhava, Ardhanarisvara, Tripurari,
Varahavishnu, and Trivikramacarvings adron the walls. The temples
bear a great resemblance to the Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi. Though
the Pallavas & Chalukyas were waring, the Chalukyan rulers did not
let it affect their love for art & architecture. They were willing
to follow a good model & also took artisans to execute their temples.
Mahaakuteswar
lies on the outskirts of Badami. Temples in both southern & northern
style are found in the same enclosure. The Mahakuteswar temple is
in the southern style, while the Sangameswara temple is of the northern
style.
Other temples
in the region - Jambulinga Temple, Galaganatha Temple, Kashivishvanatha
Temple, Kadasiddhesvara Temple, a Jain temple.
The Baanaashankari
temple lies enroute to Badami. The Devi guarding the village is depicted
with eight-arms on a snarling gold lion. A huge fair is held, attracting
thousands of devotees.
The Archaeological
Survey of India maintains a gallery within the Pattadakal temple complex.
The Pattadakkal
Dance Festival is organized annually by the Government of Karnataka.
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