“One State, Many Worlds” is the catchy line that Karnataka Tourism has been using for a while now. And any one who knows the state can’t but approve. India Travel Blog, of course, has more content on Karnataka than any other region. Here is all the ‘worlds’ in the ‘state’ you can read about on India Travel Blog, and pictures on my Image Gallery.
Thadiyandamol, Coorg
TRAVELOGUES
1. Chikmaglur
2. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Coorg
4. Yedakumeri – on the train tracks
5. Jog and Karwar
6. Muthathi
7. Ranganathitti Bird Sanctuary
8. Kaveri Sangama, Mekedatu and Chunhi Falls
9. Shivanasamudra
10. Talkad
Hirekolale Lake, Chikmaglur
11. Balmuri falls
12. Hogenakkal
13. KRS dam and Brindavan Gardens
14. Muthyala Madu
15. Bandipur National Park
16. Muthodi – Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
17. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
18. Jog and Murdeshwar
19. Gokarna
20. Hampi
Sunrise at Matanga Parvata, Hampi
21. Badami
22. Aihole
23. Pattadakal
24. Mahakoota
25. Melukote
26. Belur and Halebeedu
27. Nandi Betta
IMAGES
1. Hampi
2. Badami,Aihole and Pattadakal
3. Coorg
4. Monsoon
5. Bangalore
Skandagiri near Bangalore
6. Chikmaglur
7. Gokarna
8. Melukote
9. Janapada Jaatre
Here is the list of stories from my Hampi and Badami trip. You can also go to the first post and use the navigation to read all of them in sequence.
Also see:
* Images from Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
* Images from Hampi
* Earlier trip report to Hampi
Hampi
* Arriving at Hampi
* The days in Hampi
* One evening, in Hampi
* Badami
* Banashankari
* Pattadakal
* Mahakoota
* Playing Cricket in Aihole..
* Aihole’s temples
* Information: Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
Mahakoota
Each of these places had plenty to offer, but if I were to pick a highlight of the whole trip, it will be Mahakoota.
Hampi >> Badmi >> Aihole >> Pattadakal
+Previous: A day in Aihole
+Go to the beginning of the series or index page
Badami was once the capital of Chalukya kings who ruled major part of the Deccan from 6th to 8th century AD. The Chalukyas experimented with various architectures which evolved into formal styles over the years, and this evolution is easy to observe in Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole and Pattadakal are said to be the only places where northern rekhanagar style of construction(similar to ones seen in Konark) and southern dravidian structures are seen together in the same place. Some structures in Aihole, built during the stages of improvement are unique and have no similars anywhere. Aihole and Pattadakal have also seen some work from Rashtrakootas in later years. Badami is known for its four cave temples that are carved in a monolith hill. River Malaprabha flows next to Aihole and Pattadakal, which is known to make these places sacred.
Aihole and Pattadakal are small villages and don’t have any accommodation. It is best to make Badami as a base to explore these places. Pattadakal is nearly 30 minutes from Badami, and Aihole another 20 more minutes.
How to reach: Badami can be accessed from Hubli, Gadag or Hospet from south, or from Bijapur in the north. Lot of people do Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal circuit along with Hampi. If you want to arrive from Hampi, take a bus to Ilkal(which is on Bijapur highway) from Hospet, and change over to Badami. Alternatively, you can go to Gadag and catch a bus to Badami. Both options should take you from 4 to 6 hours depending on how quickly you can find a bus. Don’t be fooled, Hospet might look very close to Badami in the map, but takes at least three hours even if you are driving. KSRTC buses connect Badami with Bangalore. Badami has a train station, but is connected only with local passenger trains.
Banashankari is 5km from Badami and is connected by regular buses. Mahakoota is 12km from Badami. Buses are infrequent, but you might be able to take a shared rickshaw or hire one yourself.
If you are driving from Bangalore, take NH4(Tumkur Road) till Chitradurga, turn right before Chitradurga town and drive till Ilkal on this road via Hospet. You have to turn left at Ilkal and drive for an hour, passing many towns(there are plenty of signs) to reach Badami. It is a long drive, probably a good 500kms.