The presence of the superb Cave Temple make Badami a wonderful place to visit, especially for history buffs. Scooped out of the sandstone hills, the temple is ideally nestled on a beautiful hill. Encompassing four caves, the Cave Temple attracts tourists from across the globe. The history of these temples dates back to the 6th century. The porch at the entrance of the caves are adorned with stone columns and brackets. The columns of the mandap are also notable. The shrine is located deep inside the cave and it is really wonderful to go through the passage leading to the shrine.

Built in honor of different heavenly deities, the Cave Temple reflects the secular nature of the then rulers. One of the four temples is dedicated to Lord Shiva, two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the last one is dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras. The Cave Temple is filled with structures displaying fascinating carvings. The carved images represent the early styles and stages of the South Indian architecture. Each cave temple has its own charm and beauty.

The Four Cave Temples

The first cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The paintings of amorous couples on the ceiling of the first Cave Temple attract attention. The shrine houses the idol of Lord Shiva and his consort goddess Parvati. One of the striking features of this shrine is the images of lord Nataraja (the cosmic dancer) in eighty one dancing poses.

The second cave temple has an idol of Lord Vishnu. Idols of the two forms of the lord can be seen here. One form is Trivikrama(dwarf) and the other is Varaha (boar).

The third cave is known for its beautiful carvings and sculptures. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its mesmerizing architecture showcases the costumes, jewelery and hairstyle of the 6th century.

Jain Temple

Dedicated to Jain Tirthankara Parshavnatha, the fourth cave has a beautiful sculpture of Mahavira in a sitting posture.