Pattadakal, a beautiful town located in Bagalkot district in Karnataka is a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also called as Raktapura or Pattadakallu, this town is a perfect illustration of eclectic art designed in the 7th and 8th centuries under the rule of Chalukyas. Being home to the historical sites, the place welcomes tourists and archaelogists from across the world. You can find plenty of famous places to visit in Pattadakal, right from a bunch of Hindu temples to impressive Jain sanctuaries that will surely blow your mind with their brilliant architecture!
So if you are planning a visit to Pattadakal then read the below mentioned amazing sightseeing experiences that will surely make you have the best time here.
Top 11 Places To Visit In Pattadakal, Karnataka
Pattadakal is a go-to destination for families, couples, backpackers, and friends. There are plenty of tourist places in Pattadakal which can be seen at any time of the day. Here are some of the best ones that you must add to your itinerary!
- Museum Of The Plains And Sculpture Gallery: Home To Rare Scriptures
- Virupaksha Temple: Devoted To Lord Shiva
- Mallikarjuna Temple: Eye-Catching Architecture
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Nagara Style Monument
- Papanatha Temple: Fusion Of Dravidian And Nagara Architecture
- Sangameshwara Temple: Tranquil Ambiance
- Galaganatha Temple: Enormous Sikhara
- Jambulinga Temple: Marvellous Sculptures
- Kadasiddeshwar Temple: Well-Craved Dwarapalakas
- Pattadakal Jain Temple: Fine Carvings
- Badami: Historical Site
1. Museum Of The Plains And Sculpture Gallery: Home To Rare Scriptures
Museum Of The Plains And Sculpture Gallery is also one of the acclaimed places to visit in Pattadakal, Karnataka. One of the best places to visit in Pattadakal, this Museum is located on the Bhutanatha temple road. Housing rare scriptures and sculptures of the ancient era, allure of this place that will surely leave you spellbound. This is one of the best Pattadakal tourist places.
Location:
Opening hours: 10 AM – 7 PM
Entrance fee: No entry fee
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2. Virupaksha Temple: Devoted To Lord Shiva
Virupaksha temple is one of the oldest temples in India and one of the preferred places to visit in Pattadakal, Karnataka. Outstanding is the only word to describe this ancient beauty, it is the only functioning sanctum of all the temple complex is devoted to Lord Shiva. Done up with grand and fine art, this temple is one of the largest temples of all in Pattadakal which make it one of the top tourist attractions in Pattadakal.
This beautiful temple was built to memorialize the victory Queen Lokamahadevi’s husband victory i.e. Vikramaditya II. Constructed in Dravidian fashion, this temple features antique sculptures and idols of Hindu gods like Lingodhbhava, Nataraja, Ugra Narasimha, and Ravana Anugraha. Opposite to this shrine is a huge black stone monolithic Nandi mandapa where the walls of this mandapa have carvings of females.
Location: Pattadakal Temple Complex
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10
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3. Mallikarjuna Temple: Eye-Catching Architecture
Among many famous places to visit in Pattadakal, the Mallikarjuna is another grand shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and has an eye-catching architecture. Built by the second wife of Chalukyan emperor Vikramaditya, this shrine designed in Dravidian has 3 Mukha Mandapam in 3 sides with lovely carvings of gods and scenes from ancient stories. The ceiling of the shrine is beautified with figures and there is a Nandi Mandapa in front of the temple too which is partially collapsed. Other carvings are of war scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata, Mahishasura Mardini hunting demon, Gurukula, crocodile and monkey, log carrying elephant, and stunning dwarapalakas. This is one of the most interesting Pattadakal tourist places.
Location : Pattadakal Temple Complex
Opening hours: 9 AM to 5 PM
Entrance fee : INR 10
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4. Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Nagara Style Monument
Placed adjacent to the Mallikarjuna temple, this shrine is a fine Nagara style monument built in the 8th century. This temple is the last Hindu shrine constructed in Pattadakal and features appealing carvings with beautiful details. Finely crafted sculptures of female figures in various postures, black stone Shivalinga, Garuda holding snakes, animals, and figures of Shiva & Parvathi with Skanda, together make this temple one of the top tourist attractions in Pattadakal. The temple offers the best Pattadakal sightseeing experience.
Location: Beside Mallikarjuna Temple in Temple Complex
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10
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5. Papanatha Temple: Fusion Of Dravidian And Nagara Architecture
Popular for the carving of Mahabharata and Ramayana scenes, the ravishing temple on the banks of Malaprabha River right outside of the temple complex is worth visiting. Featuring the fusion of Dravidian and Nagara architecture, this temple built in 680 AD is dedicated to the form Lord Shiva’s – Mukteswara. The aura and grandeur of this temple are worth admiring which makes it the best places to visit in Pattadakal.
The nagara style vimana on the top, the Sabhamandap with 16 pillars, Mahishasura Mardhini with 8 hands and pillared porticos with dancing Shiva’s sculptures of the sanctum are commendable. You can also see many other carvings on this temple such as couples, mythical animals, Rama Killing Vali sculptures and more.
Distance from bus stop: 700 m
Location: Malaprabha River bank
Entrance fee: INR 30
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6. Sangameshwara Temple: Tranquil Ambiance
Situated between the Virupaksha and Galaganatha temples, this shrine is also one of the most famous places to visit in Pattadakal. Commissioned by Vijayaditya (Chalukyan ruler) in the 720 AD, this temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is similar to Virupaksha but smaller in size. This shrine comes with 2 entrances and features a partially ruined 20 pillar large Rangamandira, 2 sub-temples, ruined mandapa of Nandi and a few sculptures on the outer wall.
Location: Pattadakal Temple Complex
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10
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7. Galaganatha Temple: Enormous Sikhara
Positioned ahead of Sangameshwara temple, the Galaganatha temple built at the start of the 8th century features a large sikhara. Wonderfully designed in Nagara style, this temple with Shiva linga and many other carvings and sculptures is pleasing to eyes. Most part of this temple has collapsed and the architecture of this temple resembles the Sangameswara shrine at Telangana. The temple offers one of the best Pattadakal sightseeing experience.
Location: Pattadakal Temple Complex
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10
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8. Jambulinga Temple: Marvellous Sculptures
Absolutely exquisite, this small Nagara design temple with a sanctum and a mandapa is yet another sightseeing places in Pattadakal that will attract your attention. Raised in the 7th century, this shrine is built on a high plinth and has 5 moldings with tiny birds and ganas. There are sculptures of Vishnu, Siva, and Surya on the walls of sanctum as well as the image of Shiva and Parvathi on the sukanasi.
Location: Pattadakal Temple Complex
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10
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9. Kadasiddeshwar Temple: Well-Craved Dwarapalakas
Another famous tourist places in Pattadakal is the Kadasiddeshwar temple with a small structure crafted in Nagara style. Built-in the 18th century, this shrine with a hall and sanctum is relatively smaller than the others and has beautiful sculptures of Parvathi and Shiva. The well-craved dwarapalakas at the entrance to welcome the tourists and the outer walls also have many more beautiful sculptures.
Location: Pattadakal Temple Complex
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10
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10. Pattadakal Jain Temple: Fine Carvings
Designed by the Kalyani Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas in the 9th century, this gorgeous Jain temple lies at the entrance of Temple Complex. Adorned with fine carvings of human figures, Sankhanidhi, dwarfs, kalasas, Padmanidhi and more, this temple is one of the top tourist attractions in Pattadakal. It is also embellished with lovely a-pillars with carvings, a sanctum with small shivalinga, and Rangamandira.
Location: Bagalkot district, Karnataka, India
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entrance fee: INR 30
11. Badami: Historical Site
Image Credit: Sanyambahga for Wikimedia
Badami is located at a distance of 21.6 kilometres from Pattadakal and is often visited by the tourists staying here. Badami is a historical site, nestled in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The place is famous for stunning cave temples, marvellous fort, and a tranquil lake, called Agastya. Badami served as the capital of Chalukya rulers from 540 AD to 757 AD and exhibits significant ruins of the era.
Location: Bagalkot district, Karnataka
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10
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Famous for its congruous blend of architectural forms from both northern and southern regions of India, Pattadakal is a popular tourist destination for a holiday in Karnataka for history lovers, families, couples, and pilgrims. The richness and aura of these places to visit in Pattadakal is unmatched and is definitely worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Pattadakal
Q. What is Pattadakal know for?
A. Pattadakal is a renowned UNESCO world heritage site and is famous for its beautiful monuments, temples, and carvings belonging to prehistoric times.
Q. How do I reach Pattadakal?
A. Pattadakal has no direct train or rail service for now, but it has good road connectivity. The best way to travel is via Aihole and then hire public transport. You can also reach Badami via train and then drive to Pattadakal.
Q. Is Pattadakal hot?
A. Pattadakal usually has a hot tropical climate during the summers from April to May. The day temperature here may vary from 28 to 41 degrees Celsius, therefore, its best to visit this place during the winters or monsoons.
Q. What are the opening hours of monuments in Pattadakal?
A. Most of the monuments in Pattadakal are open from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.
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