In the bagalkot district of Karnataka, lies this breathtaking town of Chalukya dynasty. Previously known as Vatapi, this ancient town has got rich history attached to it. You can find traces of it in the book “Sivagamiyin Sabadam”, where the King of Vatapi comes down to Kanchipuram to fight Mahendra Pallava of Pallava dynasty.

History apart! Let’s dive straight into the top things to do in Badami for making it easier for you to plan your trip.

Enjoy the swaying sunflower fields

The route from Hampi to Badami is studded with fields of sunflowers making the journey all the more interesting. How I wish we were on a car to pit stop at few places to enjoy the swaying fields.

Stumble upon the medieval mosque

Dating back 15th century, when muslim invaders set up their rule in Bijapur, they built mosque in the surrounding areas like Badami for their prayer needs. Adil shahi mosque was one such mosque built at the base of Badami caves.

The recent additions to the mosque sit right next to the older part offering a visual treat.

Explore the four levels of Badami caves

Badami caves has history dating back 6th century. Badami caves has four caves in three stages; three dedicated to Hindu cave temples and another one dedicated to Jain temple.

Though badami caves has a simple exterior, the interiors of each cave carries ornate finish.  

Look in awe at the panaromic view of town from Badami caves

The panaromic view of Badami town from the Badami caves is something that took our breath away. The jam-packed houses and the surreal lake surrounded by hills and temples stand together offering a contrasting visual treat.

Watch the day pass by at Agasthya lake

Located 1 km from Badami bus stand, this man made lake looked surreal in monsoon glory. Locals believe that the lake has healing powers. This lake has been named after Rishi Agasthya.

From the steps of Agastya lake, one can get a 360 degree view of all the surrounding hills. Take a break for a while from chasing places, relax and unwind by basking in the glory of the lake. 

Mallikarjuna temple

Before you make your way to Bhootanatha temple, you can find this elegantly designed temple on your left. This temple is built using pyramid shaped structures made of closely placed horizontal tires. The main shrine has pillared mandapa followed by inner sanctum.

Visit the floating temple of Badami, Bhootanatha temple

Right on the edge of Agastya lake, lies this splendid temple which gets partially submerged during heavy monsoons. Interesting isn’t it? Constructed during the reign of chalukya dynasty, this temple was built using local sandstones. This temple is a typical show of architecture with a blend of north and south styles.

Crawl your way to the Kostraya cave

This is the latest addition to Badami cave temples housing a Buddha statue inside. This cave is found recently near Bhootanatha temple. You may have to bend down or crawl to enter this cave. Though a small cave, the sunlight seeping through the narrow slit added a magical touch to the cave.

Meander the narrow lanes of Badami

The narrow lanes of Badami town has a character like no other. Take your camera out and capture the rustic beauty of this town. From colorful houses to smiling kids, you would be having a whale of time capturing the essence of the town.

Catch a glimpse of Badami local markets

As we made our way from bus stand to reach Badami cave temples, we crossed this bustling bazaar full of local produce.

Bazaar had a wide variety of items ranging from clay vessels to vegetables to spices.

Wander aimlessly

The best way to soak in the glory of the town is by strolling. As we had all the time on Earth, we did wander through some of the untrodden path to top of a hill. Trust me, this was one of the best things we did in Badami.

Have you heard of Badami before? Are you interested in visiting this place?

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