This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to podcaster Keshave Chaturvedi as he takes us on a temple trail across North Karnataka!

Today's destination: Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, Karnataka

Nearest Airport: Hubballi Airport - HBX

Nearest Railway Station: Badami Railway Station (BDM)

Prerequisites - N/A

Packing - Pack light clothes, as it is hot most of the year

Time of the year - Winter (November to Jan) and monsoons (June to Aug) are ideal time to visit

Length of the itinerary: 3-4 days

Itinerary Highlights:

1. Kehsav takes us on a whirlwind tour across the Northern part of Karnataka on a temple trail. The pit stops include the Badami cave temples, Aihole and Pattadakal.

2. We start with Badami, discovering the rock cut cave temples built during the 4-5th century CE by the Badami Chalukyas as they established their political capital in Badami. The cave temples consist of 4 main caves - 3 Hindu and 1 Jain cave that have some finely sculpted temples. Keshav talks through the significance of each of these cave temples as well as subtle differences.

3. There is Cave 5, which is a relatively newer cave that is closer to the Agastya lake and Bhootnath temple and is unique for its representation of the deities

4. Besides the cave temples, Badami also has a mosque that was likely built during the Adil Shahi sultanate. The town is also a popular hot spot for bouldering among the local and international community.

5. Aihole was considered to be the cultural capital of the Chalukyas and is situated a few kms away from Badami.

6. It is considered to be the cradle of Indian temple architecture due to the sheer diversity and number of temples found here. There are over 100 temples in the main complex including Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples.

7. THe main temples include the Durga temple, Lad Khan temple, Gaudargudi temple and the Ravan Pahadi caves.

8. Other important temples include Ambigergudi temples complex, Jyotirlinga temples complex, Mallikarjuna temples complex, Ramalinga temples group, Veniyar shrines complex, Maddin temples group, Triyambakeshvara temples group, Kuntigudi complex.

9. Finally, Pattadakal came into prominence between the 7th and 8th century CE and was considered as the place of coronation of the Chalukya Kings. It is often referred to as a harmonious blend of architecture styles from North and South India.

10. The main temples include - Kadasiddheshwara temple (Nagara/North Indian style), Jambulingeshwara temple, Galaganatha Temple, Chandrashekhara Temple, Sangameshwara Temple (dravidian/vimana style), Kashi Vishwanatha Temple (rekhanagara), Virupaksha Temple (dravidian/vimana), Jain Narayana Temple

Links:

Keshav’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keshavchaturvedi9/

Keshav’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keshav.chaturvedi.37

Keshav’s podcast - https://shows.ivmpodcasts.com/show/tedhe-medhe-raaste-8nsu-Rh7epsqeWjEL8yjl

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