Pattadakal is one of the unique places to see that many temples of the early Chalukyan architecture. Also it is a rare place where the south Indian & north Indian style temples share the same landscape.
The place is a village and an important tourist centre in the state and is located on the left bank of the Malaprabha River and 12 kms from Badami
It is a great centre of Chalukyan art, noted for its temples and inscriptions. According to inscriptions, the place was known by the names Kisuvolal (Red Town) or Pattada Kisuvolal.
There are ten major temples here, including a Jain temple. Out of the nine Hindu temples, four are in Nagara style, and the other six are in Dravidian style. Pattadakal has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The two major temples in Pattadakal - Virupaksha temple and Mallikarjuna temple - were built by the queens of Vikramaditya II to honor his achievements.
Kadasiddeshwara temple
The ribs on the curved, northern-style tower stop at roof level rather than extending all the way to the ground. To the left is the "twin" Jambulinga Temple. The form of both towers recalls other examples, such as the earlier Hucchimalli Gudi at Aihole.
Jambulinga Temple :
This is practically the "twin" of Kaddasimbeshvara Temple just to the north, although Jambulinga lacks the expected doorway guardians. The tower's curving ribs are decorated with horseshoe-shaped blind arches. On the front (east) face of the tower is a large panel of Shiva dancing with Nandi and Parvati.
Galganath Temple :
This temple facing east was built arount 750 AD was originally a large one. The most striking feature of this temple is its majestic shikhar demostrates an evolved stage of rekha nagar prasad raising in four stages.
Sangameshwara Temple
Built by Chalukya Emperor Vijyaditya (696-733) and originally called Vijayeshwara, the sangameshwara temple impress one by its striking simplicity. This huge temple has a main shrine and two subsiday ones. The nine lattie windows allowing light into the circamambulatory path are unique in their geometrical patterns and skilled workmanship. The thick and heavy walls of the temple have unfinished images of Vishnu, Varaha, Gajasuramardana, Siva accompanied by Nandi, etc. The Rangamantapa has two square monolithic pillars full of sculptures.
Virupaksha temple
The Virupaksha temple, probably the most beautiful of all temples here is in the south Indian style and is almost a replica of the Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi. While the Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi served as a model for this temple (given the interaction between the Chalukyas and the Pallavas), this temple served as the model for the Ellora Kailasanatha temple built by the Rashtrakootas.
The Virupaksha temple was built by Lokeswari one of the queens of Vikramaditya II in honor of his victorious battle against the Pallavas of Kanchi in the year 735 CE. The Mallikarjuna temple was built by her sister, also a Chalukyan queen.
The Virupaksha temple faces east towards the Malaprabha river. It has carvings depicting scenes from the puranas in each of the 18 pillars in the mukhamandapam. There are also carvings of Ravananugrahamurthy, Narasimha, Gajendramoksham, the dance of Shiva. The square vimana of this temple is in three levels.
Monolithic stone pillar bearing inscription
Engraved on an octagonal pillar set up in front of the Mallikarjuna temple at Pattadakal, this inscription is in the Siddhamatrika and Kannada–Telugu characters of the 8th century A.D.
Malikarjuna Temple
Built by Trailokyamahadevi, the queen of Vikramaditya II (734-745AD), it was originally called Trailokeshwara Temple. It is similar to the Virupaksha Temple but smaller in size. The ceiling has panels of Gajalakshmi & Nataraja with Parvathi. Pillars in the temple depict the birth & life of Krishna.
other carvings
Although having the dwarfish form of a gana, this figure is a personified nidhi, one of the treasures of Kubera. Nidhis include auspicious objects such as moneybags, flowers, coins, or - as here - a conch shell (shankha).
The nidhi is richly dressed, and seated "at ease" upon a lion platform. His right hand holds the conch, from which a garland issues forth and passes above the nidhi's head. The garland's carving seems to resemble the body of a snake, a creature frequently associated with the underground and its treasures.
Many thanks to Dr. Ellen M. Raven, of the University of Leiden, for the identification of this figure.
Episode of Bhism lying on bed of arrows
Shiva subduing Ravana
Shiva quells an earthquake by subduing the demon Ravana, who had disturbed the god and his consort by by shaking their home on Mount Kailasa. In this sculpture Ravana (always with multiple heads and arms) is shown in large scale below, while Shiva, Parvati, and their retinue are carved in very small scale above.
Shiva
B&W Virupaksa Temple
Wow, amazing pictures. I have made my mind to visit Hampi within this year.
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