Badami

Badami (Kannada: ಬದಾಮಿ), formerly Vatapi, is a city in the Bagalkot district of Northern Karnataka, in Southern India. It is a historical place.

Understand
Badami was the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh between the 6th and 8th centuries. It was founded in 540 CE by Pulakesi I (535-566 CE), an early ruler of the Chalukyas. His sons Kirthivarman (567-598 CE) and his brother Mangalesha I (598-610 CE) constructed the cave temples. The greatest among them was Pulakeshi II (610-642 CE) who defeated many kings including Pallava king Mahendra Verman I and extended the kingdom.

By train
There is a small station in Badami, 5 km from the centre. Trains from Bangalore, Bijapur and other cities stop there regularly. From the station, there are many rickshaws to reach the centre. You can also wait a bus which goes to the bus stand. It will cost you ₹3.

The minor Yara Goppa Halt is slightly closer to town (3 km), but very few trains call here.



By bus
The bus stand is in the centre of the town. There are buses for Gadag, Bijapur, Bangalore and Hospet. The NWKRTC bus service is very efficient. From Hubli, regular buses to Badami (on the Ilkal/

Bagalkot route) ply every 30 minutes or so. The journey from Hubli takes about 3 hours not counting a 20-minute break at a town en route (for lunch, refreshments)

By car
From Bangalore: Drive to Hubli along NH 4 (410 km) and then via NH 218 (106 km).

Get around
From the centre, all the main sites are reachable by foot. However, there are plenty of rickshaws which would be happy to transport you. The best way to explore this small town is by walking, though.

Best way of getting around is hiring an auto-rickshaw for a day trip including caves, museum, bhootnath temples, fort, Pattadkal and Aihole. Auto-rickshaws are waiting at the railway station and next to the bus station.

If you just need to get a ride inside town or go out of town for a km or so in either direction (e.g. in order to get to the climbing areas Ganesh Plateau or Temple area), flag down a shared rickshaw and insist on the local price of ₹10 (Jan 2023) per person.

Tata ace Magic autos, comfortable for a group of 10, are available opposite the bus station. Parking charges are extra at the caves, Pattadkal and Aihole.

Approximately 6 hours should be sufficient to cover Badami's tourist places. If you add not-so-popular spots (out of town) you need a whole day. Visit the caves early morning or evening to get great pictures. To see Pattadka you need 2 hours maximum, whereas Aihole will demand 4-5 hours as temples are scattered across the village.

See


Almost all the main attractions of Badami are around the Agasthya Tank.



Eat




Drink
Buttermilk made from cow's or buffalo milk. Tea is the popular drink of the local people, available at road side shacks and restaurants.

Sleep

 * Hotel Mayura Chalukya a hotel run by Karnataka State tourism corporation.
 * Hotel Mayura Chalukya a hotel run by Karnataka State tourism corporation.
 * Hotel Mayura Chalukya a hotel run by Karnataka State tourism corporation.

Stay safe
There are many monkeys in Badami. Some of them, especially the gray langurs, can be aggressive.

B.S.N.L (Cellone) cellular phone connectivity is available here.

Summer months of March, April, May are hot. Dehydration must be avoided in these months.

Go next

 * Pattadakal
 * Aihole
 * Lakkundi
 * Hampi