Cave Temples of Badami- Masterpieces of Chalukya Temple Art
Carved out of a red sandstone hill overlooking the beautiful Agastya Lake, the four cave temples of Badami are great works of religious art and a showcase of Chalukya temple architecture. Because of their stunningly beautiful carvings – enhanced by the colorfulness and pleasant texture of the red sandstone – they stand out from the rest of the cave temples in India. Visiting them is a fascinating experience.
Built by the Badami Chalukyas between the 6th and 8th century CE, these rock-cut cave temples are the forerunners of the religious monuments built in Southern India. Besides these cave temples, Chalukyas built many freestanding temples in and around Badami. The dynasties that came after them continued this trend, and as a result, the temple building flourished. Hundreds of beautiful temples, big and small, dedicated to different gods and goddesses, now dot the landscape of Karnataka and the surrounding regions.
The rock-cut cave temples were constructed by meticulously carving out the stone material from the rock to create beautiful structures, sculptures, and sculptural reliefs. It is mind-boggling how the ancient Indians manage to carve such magnificent temples out of rocks without the aid of sophisticated machinery or tools.
Built next to each other and connected via stone staircases, the four cave temples are labeled Cave – 1, Cave -2, Cave – 3, and Cave – 4, based on the sequence of their approach from the main entrance to the temple complex. In other words, you would visit Cave – 1 first and Cave – 4 last.
The chronological order of their construction is not known because of the lack of inscriptions. Only Cave – 3 has inscription detailing its dating. However, it is generally believed that they were constructed in the same sequence as their approach.
The rest of the page is about Cave – 1. Check the following pages for a detailed explanation of the other three caves:
Cave | Dedication | Reliefs |
---|---|---|
Cave – 2 | Vishnu | Varahavatara, Vamanavatara |
Cave – 3 | Maha Vishnu | Maha Vishnu, Ashtabhuja Vishnu Varahavatara, Vamanavatara, Narasimhavatara |
Cave – 4 | Mahavira (Jain Temple) | Mahavira, Adinatha, Parshvanatha Bahubali, Mahavira with Jakkave |
Cave – 1: Magnificent temple dedicated to Shiva
Dated to approximately to 550 CE, Cave – 1 is the first of the four rock-cut caves in the Badami hills. It is a
Excavated from the massive red sandstone boulder at 60ft from the
The
The facade shows the pillars of the
Nataraja performing Tandava Nritya
Carved into the right side extension, this large-size sculptural relief depicts Nataraja (Dancing King), a form of Shiva, performing the Tandava Nritya, a vigorous cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.
As you can see, Nataraja is standing with an elegant dancing pose on a lotus flower pedestal, and his 18 hands carry a variety of objects, including a
Dwarapala with Shiva-Parvati and Vrishabha-Kunjara
Carved into the left-side extension, this relief depicts the dwarapala (door-keeper) of Shiva. As you can see, the dwarapala is holding a trishula (trident) with his right hand. Carved below the dwarapala is Vrishabha-Kunjara (Bull-Elephant), an illusionary sculpture with a single head joined by the torsos of the bull and elephant. It looks like an elephant from one side and a bull from the other side. Carved above the dwarapala is a relief of Shiva and Parvati seated on Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle.
To the right of dwarapala are the pillars of the mukhamantapa and to the left are the flights of steps to Cave – 2.
Mukhamantapa – Richly decorated porch
As mentioned, the mukhamantapa is the front porch of the cave temple. It is ornate with beautifully carved reliefs on the lateral walls and the ceiling, which are described below.
Ardhanarishvara – Fusion of Shiva and Parvati
Carved into the right-side wall of the
In this relief, Ardhanarishvara, who has man-like features on the right half and woman-like features on the left half, is standing with an elegant Tribhanga stance (i.e., body bent in three places, neck, waist, and knee).
While appearing to play a musical instrument, Ardhanarishvara is gently leaning on his vehicle Nandi. Standing with the folded hands (i.e., namaste gesture) behind Nandi is Bhringi, a sage with three legs who appears like a skeleton. Standing to the left of Ardhanarishvara is an unidentified female figure carrying a bowl with her left hand. Flying above Ardhanarishvara are the Vidyadhara couples.
Read the Ardhanarishvara with Sage Bhringi page for a brief explanation of the story behind Shiva’s manifestation of Ardhanarishvara .
Harihara – Fusion of Shiva and Vishnu
This beautifully carved sculptural relief depicting Harihara is on the left lateral wall of the mukhamantapa. Harihara is a symbolical fusion of the two Gods of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu and Shiva, and is a single entity made from half of Shiva’s and half of Vishnu’s features. Because of this fusion, the followers of both the Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions worship Harihara.
As you can see from the image, Harihara is carved with Shiva’s features on the left side and Vishnu’s features on the right side. Shiva’s wife Parvati and his vehicle Nandi are standing on the right side of Harihara. Likewise, Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi and his vehicle Garuda are standing on the other side.
A stunningly beautiful sculpture depicting Harihara can be found in one of the devakoshtas of the Durga Temple at Aihole, about 22 miles east of Badami. Also built by the Badami Chalukyas, it is a free-standing temple carved with many sculptures and reliefs similar to those in the Badami cave temples.
Coiled Nagaraja
This intricately carved relief depicts Nagaraja, the mythical king of serpents, with multiple serpent heads and a human head attached to a torso, extended by a spiraling serpent body.
As you can see, the Nagaraja has five serpent heads surrounding his human head, and his coiled serpent body, whose thickness decreases as it spirals out, fits perfectly within a wheel engraved with fine artwork. Enclosing the wheel is a square panel richly decorated with flower-like patterns.
A similar relief is found on the ceiling of the mukhamantapa of the Durga Temple at Aihole.
Garbhagriha with Shivalinga
The image shows an inside view of Cave – 1. At the far end is the entrance to the
Proceed to Cave -2 …
Related Pages
– Badami, Cave – 2, Cave – 3, Cave – 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
– Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals
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