Cave 1 is one of the four rock-cut cave temples carved out of a red sandstone hill near Badami in Karnataka, India. As its name suggests, it is the first cave encountered from the main entrance of the cave complex.
For detailed descriptions of the other three caves, refer to the following pages:
| 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 |
Dated to approximately to 550 CE, Cave 1 is the first of the four rock-cut caves in the Badami hills. It is a
Façade and Entrance
Excavated from the massive red sandstone boulder at 60 feet above
The
The façade 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.
Nataraja in this image is standing with an elegant dancing pose on a lotus flower pedestal, and his 18 hands carry a variety of objects, including a
A sculptural panel of Shiva as Nataraja also appears in the Main Cave at Elephanta. The Badami sculpture is more complete, preserving all eighteen arms, whereas the Elephanta panel has suffered considerable damage. As two of the earliest surviving monumental representations of Shiva as Nataraja in India, these sculptures were most likely carved around the same time, making it difficult to determine whether one influenced the other or whether both drew upon a common artistic tradition.
Dvarapala with Shiva-Parvati and Vrishabha-Kunjara
Carved into the left-side extension, this relief depicts the dvarapala (door-keeper) of Shiva. The dvarapala is holding a trishula (trident) with his right hand. Carved below the dvarapala 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 dvarapala 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.
Dvarapalas are a feature of both rock-cut cave temples and stand-alone Hindu temples across India. Flanking the entrances to sanctuaries, they symbolize the protection of the sacred space while marking the transition from the earthly realm to the abode of the deity. The dvarapalas of Badami Cave 1 are among the earliest surviving examples of this architectural and iconographic traditions in Early Chalukya temple art.
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.
The Main Cave at Elephanta also contains a superbly carved panel of Ardhanarishvara. Although it represents the same deity, the composition differs significantly from that at Badami, as it does not include the sage Bhringi.
Harihara: Fusion of Shiva and Vishnu
Situated on the left lateral wall of the mukhamantapa, this beautifully carved relief depicts Harihara, a symbolical fusion Vishnu and Shiva, two principal deities of the Hindu Trinity.
This composite form is created by combining half the features of Shiva and half those of Vishnu. As a result of this fusion, Harihara is revered by followers of both the Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions
As seen in the image, Harihara is carved with Shiva’s features on the left side and Vishnu’s features on the right side. Shiva’s consort Parvati and his mount Nandi stand beside the Shiva half, while Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi and his mount Garuda appear on the Vishnu half, reinforcing the dual identity of the deity.
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. Like the Badami cave temples, this free-standing temple was built by the Badami Chalukyas and is richly adorned with sculptures and reliefs of comparable artistic excellence.
Coiled Nagaraja
This intricately carved relief depicts Nagaraja, the mythical king of serpents, with multiple serpent heads and a human head above a torso extending into a spiraling serpent body.
As seen here, the Nagaraja has five serpent heads surrounding his human head. His coiled serpent body—gradually tapering as it spirals outward—fits harmoniously within a finely engraved wheel. 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 captures the interior of Cave 1, where a flight of steps leads up to the entrance of the garbhagriha. Inside the sanctum, the shivalinga is not a separately installed structure but is carved from the rock itself, created at the same time this cave temple was excavated.
Notice that the shivalinga rests on a square-shaped yoni, an uncommon feature, as most shivalingas in Indian temples are set on oval-shaped yonis.
A Milestone in Indian Rock-Cut Architecture
Generally regarded as the earliest of the four cave temples at Badami, Cave 1 represents a remarkable milestone in the evolution of Early Chalukya rock-cut architecture and sculptures. Its harmonious blend of architectural design, refined craftsmanship, and richly carved images of Shiva, including the iconic Nataraja, Ardhanarishvara, and Harihara panels, demonstrates the artistic excellence of the Chalukya sculptors at the beginning of one of India’s greatest temple-building traditions. More than fourteen centuries after its creation, Badami Cave 1 continues to captivate visitors, offering a fascinating glimpse into the religious devotion, artistic innovation, and engineering mastery of ancient Indians.
Related Pages From YatrikaOne
Hoysala Temples
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple
— Bracket Figures, Navaranga, Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple
Badami Chalukya Temples
– Cave Temples of Badami, Cave 1, Cave 2, Cave 3, Cave 4, Badami
– Durga Temple at Aihole
Elephanta Cave Temples
– Elephanta Caves, Elephanta Main Cave, The Mystery of Elephanta Cave 2
– The Smaller Caves of Elephanta: Caves 2, 3, 4, and 5
Khmer Temples in Cambodia
– Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Banteay Srei, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Bayon
Monuments in Indonesia
– Prambanan Temples, Prambanan Bas-Reliefs
– Borobudur
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