Badami Cave 3: Relief of Vishnu’s Vehicle Garuda Carved into the Eves

Garuda
Carved into the eaves of Cave 3, the third of the four rock-cut temples in Badami, is the sculptural relief depicting Vishnu’s vehicle Garuda. This relief is above the entrance and faces the interior of the temple. In this sculpture, Garuda, a mythical eagle-like bird, is portrayed with a human body having two wings and the nose resembling a beak. Flying above Garuda’s wings are two Vidyadhara couples.

Also preserved on the eves are the Fragments of the Royal Court Murals, which demonstrates that Cave 3 was once richly decorated with colorful paintings in addition to its exquisitely carved sculptures, bas-reliefs, and other decorative features.

Mounted on the capital of the pillars in front of the eves are the sculptures of the romantic couples. Known as mithuna shilpas, these type of sculptures, some of which are mildly erotic, are common in temples built by Badami Chalukyas. Check the Durga Temple at Aihole page.

Explore More About Badami Caves
– Badami
– Cave Temples of Badami
– Badami Cave 1, Badami Cave 2, Badami Cave 3, Badami Cave 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole

Explore Elephanta Caves
– Cave Temples of Elephanta
– Elephanta Main Cave (Cave 1), Elephanta Main Cave Ground Plan
– The Mystery of Elephanta Cave 2
– The Smaller Caves of Elephanta: Caves 2, 3, 4, and 5
– How to Reach Elephanta Caves

Related Pages from YatrikaOne
– Durga Temple at Aihole
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Masterpiece of Hoysala Temple Art
– 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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