Badami Tourism

Badami is also known as Vatapi and considered as a hub for the tourists as it is enriched by the prized presence of the Chalukiyan architecture. Legend has it that Badami had to see the ugly face of defeat at the hands of Narhasimhavarma Pallavan, a celebrated ruler belonging to the Pallava dynasty. However it took 12 years for the Chalukiyas to turn the tables on the Pallavas and seize what rightfully belonged to them.

Local inhabitants also narrate a bizarre story regarding the two hillocks located in Badami of Karnataka namely Ilvalan and Vatapi. According to them, Vatapi and Ilavan were two monsters who were also siblings. They used to deceive friars, kill them and eat them up. This continued until a hermit named Agastya came and ended this death spree that had gobbled up many innocent beggars and transformed the evil culprits into the two knolls.

The temples of Badami at Karnataka that are responsible for drawing the majority of the tourists are listed below:-

• The major temples are located at the apex of a knoll that lies within close proximity with Bhutanata tank. The first of temple was established in the 5th century and bears the Ardhanareeswara and Harira expressions of the rebel God Lord Shiva.
  
  Another famous piece includes the robust dance of Lord Shiva displaying eighteen arms silhouetted against a cosmic backdrop. Portrayals of other divinities like Mahishasuramardini, Shanmukha and Ganapati are among the other pieces of sculptures.
  
  Another temple contains the Varaha and Trivikrama embodiments of Lord Vishnu. It can be reached by climbing 64 steps starting from the first one. The ceilings also contain images of Lord Vishnu on the back of Garuda and many other memorable moments from the Purana.
  
  
• Other temples include the Mallikarjuna temple and many others.