Pattadakal, Karnataka, India - Info by Sundar Palaniappan
a Seventh century Coronation town of Chalukyas - Pattadakal
Pattadakal is a small town located in the Bagalkot district of North Karnataka and lies on the banks of banks of the Malaprabha River.
Pattadakal is located 22 km from Badami ( aka Vatapi in the ancient times ) and about 10 km from Aihole.
Pattadakal ( according to the inscriptions it was known as the Pattada - Kisuvolal during the ancient times ), where the kings of early Chalukyas of modern day Karnataka, used to be crowned, was one of the three great centres of experimentation in temple construction.
The other two being Badami and Aihole.
It is here that the Rekha - Nagara prasada and Dravida Vimana styles of Indian temple architecture were given their final form.
The Papanatha, Kashi Visvesvara, Jambulinga and Galaganatha temples noted for their curvilinear shikhara represent the former style, while Mallikarjuna, Sangameshwara and Virupaksha temples having a square roof of receding tiers, represent the later temple style of Dravidian temple building.
The Lokeshwara ( Virupaksha ) and Trailokeshwara ( Mallikarjuna ) built respectively by Lokamahadevi and Trailokamahadevi, the queens of Vikramadithya II, to commemorate the Chalukyan victory over the Pallavas of Kanchi .
A brick pillared mandapa of the late Satavahana period ( third - fourth century Ad ) laid bare in front of the Sangameshwara temple in 1970 Ad by the ASI ( Archaeological Survey of India ) marks the earliest attempts to built temples at Pattadakal. The latest one being the Jaina temple of the Rashtrakuta period ( ninth century AD ).
List of temples in the Pattadakal temple complex
Virupaksha Temple: built by Queen Lokamahadevi ( Trilokyamahadevi ) in 745 AD to commemorate her husband's victory (Vikramaditya II) over the Pallavas of Kanchi. It is designed like the Kailashanathar temple of Kancheepuram.
Sangameshvara Temple: built by Chalukya king Vijayaditya ( 696 - 733 AD ), was originally known as Vijayeshwara.
Mallikarjuna Temple: is a smaller version of Virupaksha temple and was built by younger queen of Vikramaditya II and sister of Lokamahadevi called Trailokamahadevi and the temple was originally called as Trailokeshwara.
Kasi Vishvesvara temple: was built in eighth century AD and built with Nagara Shikhara style.
Kadasiddhesvara temple: This temple very much resembles the Jambulinga temple in design and size. The outer walls of garbhagriha has figures of Harihara, Lakulisha and Ardhanarishwara.
Galganatha temple: Was built in 750 AD and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built with Rekha Nagara Prasada style.
Papanatha temple: is older than Virupaksha temple and was known as Mukteshwar during the ancient times. The outer walls of this temple is adorned with the scenes of Kiratarjuniya and Ramayana.
Quick facts
Getting there
Pattadakal is located 22 km from Badami ( aks Vatapi ) and 10 km from Aihole. There are plenty of shared Matador vans which ply between Badami and Pattakal. Budget travellers who stay at Aihole could alternatively, catch vehicles to Gudur and from there one could get vehicles to Aihole.
When to go
August - February
Places to stay
Pattadakal is a small hamlet and one could stay either at Badami or at Aihole.