Badami Cave Temples
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The Badami Cave Temples, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, are at Badami, a town in the Bagalkot District in the north part of Karnataka, India. Badami, the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka in the 6th to 8th centuries, lies at the mouth of a ravine with rocky hills on either side and a town tank in which water from the ravine flows. The town is known for its ancient cave temples carved out of the sandstone hills above.[1]
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[edit] Temple caves
The Badami Cave Temples are composed of four caves, all carved out of the soft Badami sandstone on a hill cliff in the late 6th century.[2] The four caves are simple in style. The entrance is a simple verandah with stone columns and brackets, a distinctive feature of these caves, leading to a columned mandapa and then to the small square shrine (sanctum sanctorum) cut deep into the cave.[3] The temple caves represent different religious sects. Among them, two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one to Lord Shiva and the fourth is a Jain temple. The first three are devoted to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain temple at Badami.[4]
The cave temples date back to 600 and 700 CE. Their architecture is a blend of North Indian Nagara Style and South Indian Dravidian style. As described above each cave has a sanctum sanctorum, a mandapa, a verandah and pillars. The cave temples also bear exquisite carvings, sculptures and beautiful murals.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Badami(Western Chalukya). art-and -archaeology. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
- ^ Cave 1 Badami, 575 A.D. - 585 A.D.. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
- ^ Thapar, Binda (2004). Introduction to Indian Architecture. Singapore: Periplus Editions, p 45. ISBN 0794600115.
- ^ Indian Architecture Rock-cut. Indian Heritage. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- ^ Rajan, K.V. Soundara (1998). Rock-cut Temple Styles`. Somaily Publications, p 113. ISBN 8170392187.
[edit] See also
- Badami Chalukya Architecture
- Varaha Cave Temple
- Nellitheertha Cave Temple
- Karla Caves
- Kanheri Caves
- Undavalli caves
- Pandavleni Caves
- Indian rock-cut architecture
- List of India cave temples
[edit] External links
