Temples Of Pattadakal

Facts & Figures
Built in	7th-8th Century AD
Built by	Chalukyas
Location	Pattadakal (Karnataka)

Glory Of The Chalukyas
The temples in the ancient city of Pattadakal mark the final phase of development of Hindu temple architecture, which was started by the Chalukyan rulers. The most interesting aspect of the temples of Pattadakal is that some of the temples have been built in accordance with south Indian style, while others follow the north Indian style. These temples are reflective of the high architectural standards set by the Chalukyan rulers, who were great patrons of art and architecture.

North And South Indian Style Of Temple Architecture
The temples in Pattadakal reflect the culmination of the experiments in the field of temple architecture started by the Chalukyan rulers (AD 540-757). The Chalukyas were great patrons of architecture and in their endeavor to develop an architectural style for Hindu temples, they first excavated cave shrines in Badami. The rock cut cave shrines, scooped out on the cliff in Badami were the first attempt at making Hindu and Jain rock cut caves. These caves were adaptations of earlier Buddhist cave shrines and have been influenced by them. The next phase of development of temple architecture can be seen in Aihole, which has a range of styles from simple rock cut shrines to the highly evolved temples constructed to perfection.

The basic structure of temples in India is a room or the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) where the idol of the main deity is kept. The temple is approached by a flight of steps and is often built on a platform. A porch covers the entrance to the temple, which is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called the shikhara surmounts the top of the Garbhagriha and dominates the surroundings.

Temple architecture in India is broadly divided into the northern and southern styles according to the form and shape of the shikhara and the distinctiveness of its decoration. The shikhara of the temples in south India tend to be made up of distinct horizontal levels that diminish to form a rough pyramid. Each level is decorated with miniature temple rooftops. Some south Indian temples also have tall shikharas over the elaborate gateways or gopurams, to add to the overall symmetry to the temple complex. The shikhara of the temples in north and central India, in contrast, resembles an upturned cone that is decorated with miniature conical shikharas.

Pattadakal has many temples, some of which are excellent examples of the south Indian style, while others adhere to the north Indian style. Thus, one can say that the evolution of Hindu temple architecture that began in Badami and Aihole under the Chalukyan rulers, culminated in the magnificent temples at Pattadakal.

Temples Of Pattadakal
Though the capital of the Chalukyas was Badami for the major part of their reign (the early capital was at Aihole), Pattadakal served as a second capital, where important state ceremonies like coronation etc took place. The temples at Pattadakal can generally be classified into two broad groups on the basis of the shikhara. Those in the northern Indian style have curvilinear shikharas whereas the ones belonging to the south Indian style have square roofs of receding tiers. There are a number of temples in Pattadakal and the major ones are as follows.

Jambulinga Temple
It is a small temple compared to the other temples in Pattadakal. Its shikhara is similar to the ones that later on inspired the temples of Orissa. The temples of Orissa and central India have their own distinct style, which resembles a range of mountains with shikharas over subsidiary halls also rising up towards the central shikhara. The Jambulinga temple has a projecting horseshoe shaped arch bearing the image of the dancing Shiva.

Galganatha Temple
It is a unique temple, as its outlook conforms to the north Indian style of temple architecture. The shikhara on top of this temple, having horizontal levels separated by tiny cushion-like motifs, is similar to the conical shikharas often seen in the north Indian temples. Though this temple could not be completed, it is the most evolved of all temples that belong to the conventional north Indian style in Pattadakal.

Sangameshwara Temple
It is also an incomplete temple built in the south Indian style. There are interesting mythical animals carved at the base of this temple.
Virupaksha Temple And Mallikarjuna Temple
Built in the south Indian style of temple architecture, both the temples have tiered, pyramidal, non-conical shikharas, with each tier decorated with an arrangement of miniature replicas of temples. A historical inscription here mentions that these two temples were built during the reign of the Chalukyan ruler, Vikramaditya II to commemorate his victory over the neighboring kingdom of the Pallavas in the eighth century AD. It is widely believed that they may have been built by Lokeshvara and Trilokeshvara-two queens of King Vikramaditya II.

Virupaksha Temple
This temple has a wonderful Nandi (a bull, who is the mount of Lord Shiva and a Hindu deity) porch in the front, which leads to a pillared hall. The sanctum sanctorum is located at the rear end of the temple. The Virupaksha Temple is decorated on the interior and exterior with high quality sculptures set inside little niches. The sculptures of this temple clearly show the advancement in skills and ideas from the ones found in some of the earlier temples. The vimana (as the shikhara is known in the south Indian style) of Virupaksha rises up gracefully in well-proportioned tiers. This is the southern style and a further development of the vimanas seen in earlier Chalukyan temples at Badami and Aihole.

Papanatha Temple
It is situated at a distance from the main Pattadakal complex. It has interesting friezes depicting scenes from the Hindu epics of Ramayan and Mahabharat. The Papanatha temple has an interesting pillar, which depicts Ravana, the demon king against whom Lord Ram fought, shaking Mount Kailash to dislodge Lord Shiva from his abode. The shikhara of this temple is a good example of the north Indian style.

Festivals
A number of festivals are held at Pattadakal. An annual classical dance festival is held here usually in the end of January. The Virupaksha Temple Car Festival is held in the month of March every year. The Mallikarjuna Temple also hosts a festival in March/April.

HOW TO REACH
Pattadakal does not have an airport or railway station of its own. The nearest railway station is at Badami, which is 20 km away. Pattadakal is well connected by road to some of the important centers in the Indian state of Karnataka. Badami (20 km from Pattadakal) and Aihole (45 km from Pattadakal are well connected by road to Pattadakal. Auto Rickshaws, private taxis, and private buses are the most common means of transport in and around Pattadakal.