Pattadakal.com

Protected: reference

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Kadasiddheswara Temple

Dedicated after Shiva, Kadasiddheswara Temple is the first temple you will be visiting as you enter the Pattadakal site. In size this temple is much smaller than say the Virupaksha Temple or the Mallikarjuna Temple , located further deep in the site. Possibly this temple was constructed during the regime of the Chalukya king Vijayaditya (696 – 733 CE). And this temple remains as an example of one of the earliest experiments the Chalukya clans did in the temple architecture. Otherwise this is built in what is called the Nagara style of architecture.

Andhakasura

Lord Shiva slaying Andhakasura, the blind demon, is a popular mythological theme carved on many Shiva Temples. At Pattadakal you can see a giant image in the south side of the Galaganatha Temple. The story goes like this. While in the mount Mandhara a baby was born to Parvati and Shiva. Shiva was in a meditating posture and Parvati closed his eyes mischievously from behind. The boy appeared out of Parvati’s sweat. Shiva explains to Parvati that since his eyes were closed, the baby was born blind and calls him Andhaka (the blind). Since he posed devilish qualities he was called Andhakasura (the blind demon ).

Hinduism

Well, this is piece for those of you who are new to the concepts of Hinduism. To that extend this is an oversimplified narration to make the understanding easier. For those who are keen to know more, the scope and resources are endless. So that’s a disclaimer to begin with! Though it is referred with a single common name , Hinduism, it is in fact a conglomeration of many sects, sub sects , often with its own pantheons, beliefs and religious practices. Unlike many religions, Hinduism doesn’t have definite a founder. The religion practically ‘evolved’ over 4000 years or so into its present form.

Galaganatha Temple

Galaganatha Temple dedicated to lord Shiva is a compact yet strikingly unique temple in Pattadakal. The most striking part of the Galaganatha Temple is its dexterously executed tower and the fluted final atop. Most likely the Galaganatha Temple was built around 750 CE during the regime of the early Chalukya king Vikramaditya II.

Chalukya Expres

Chalukya Express connects Mumbai with Bangalore. That is Chalukya Express operates between Yesvantpur Junction in Bangalore and Dadar in Mumbai.The train is named so because its route passes is right through the erstwhile Chalukya Empire heartland.

Golgumbaz Express | Solapur Express

Golgumbaz Express (Train Number 6535 / 6536) is a tri-weekly express train between Solapur and Bangalore( Yesvantpur Junction). In the Yesvantpur to Solapur route it is called Solapur Express and in the return route it is called Golgumbaz Express.

Pattadakal

What is Pattadakal? Pattadakal is a small riverside town, rather a village, the Karnataka state of India. This is an important archeological site closely related to the Chalyukya dynasty that ruled this region from 7 to 12 century CE. The numerous ancient temples scattered around this valley is a major tourist attraction. This is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

Chalukya Dynasty

The history of Chalukyas is a bit complicated with controversies and ambiguities ; and often riddled with myths and legends. Complicated, because there were many dynasties ( to be specific three ) shared the name Chalukya. Before going further into this, let’s first see where was this Chalukya Empire, as it is often referred, existed in India. Those of you with an understanding of the India’s geography , imagine the Indian heartland bordered by two rivers – Narmada in the north and Kaveri in the south. Well, what lies between these two rivers was practically the span of Chalukyan Empire at its peak.

Train connections for Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal

Badami , located about 22 km (14 miles) southwest of Pattadakal is the nearest railway station for Pattadakal. Badami (Station Code:BDM ) itself is on the less busy Solapur-Gadag route. This means, there are not many long distance trains connect Badami directly with other metro cities in the region. However there are a few convenient express and local train connections for Badami.