Pattadakal Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Pattadakal

Jambulingeswara Temple that was constructed in 7th century AD is a popular religious site at Pattadakal. Upon entering this temple, devotees will find the figures of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and Nandi. Just like its twin Kadasiddhesvara Temple, it was built on an elevated plinth with five mouldings. The top moulding is embellished with miniature ganas, birds and kudus. Devotees can see the relics of a raised platform at the east side of this temple.

The basement of nandi mandapa as well as the remains of a Nandi idol can be seen at the eastern side of the temple. The sanctum walls have ornate niches that are further decorated with sculptures of Vishnu (north), Surya (west) and Shiva (south). The ceiling slabs of the garbhagriha and roof slabs of the mandapa had been carved with makaras and vyalas. Moreover, tourists will notice that the entrance of the mandapa is embellished with door bands. All tourists planning to visit the city of Pattadakal must include Jambulingeswara Temple in their itinerary.

Virupaksha Temple was built circa 740 AD by the Queen Lokamahadevi (Trilokyamahadevi) after her husband Vikramaditya II defeated the Pallavas. This ancient structure was constructed during the 8th century and is regarded as one of the oldest temples of Karnataka. The architectural style of the Virupaksha Temple has striking resemblance to that of the Kailasanathar Temple situated in Kanchi.

On visiting this temple, devotees would find sculptures of Hindu gods like Ugranarasimha, Nataraja, Ravananugraha and Lingodhbhava. The interior structure had been decorated with intricate carvings and ornately crafted sculptures. Important events from epics, like Ramayana, Bhagavata, Mahabharata and Kiratarjuniya, have been recreated on the pillars of the sabha mandapa. Other parts of the temple have been embellished with numerous geometrical patterns, flora and fauna.

To the east of the Virupaksha Temple, devotees will find the nandi mandapa, a pavilion that is open from all four sides. The nandi mandapa enshrines a large figure of Nandi, the ride of Lord Shiva, on an elevated platform. Inscriptions found at the entrance of the eastern gateway depict how Vikramaditya II seized Kanchipuram. Due to its importance in the annals of history, it is suggested to all tourists who are crossing Pattadakal.

After visiting the series of temples located in Pattadakal, tourists can visit the popular Museum of the Plains & Sculpture Gallery that is situated on the Bhutanatha temple road. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been given the responsibility of maintaining this museum. Travellers planning a visit to the Museum of the Plains & Sculpture Gallery can see rarely found scriptures and sculptures of the ancient period.

Kashi Vishwanatha Temple is one among the many temples of Pattadakal. It is said that Kashi Vishwanatha Temple is the last temple among these architectures. This 8th century structure is one amongst the jewels of Pattadakal built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

The temple sanctum and the passage leading to the sanctum are the only parts that have remained. A black stone Shivalinga is housed in the sanctum. It is interesting to see the intricate carvings on the door and pillars of this temple. The door of the sanctum has female sculptures; whereas, the pillars have engravings depicting the Hindu mythology. Though most parts of the shrine have collapsed, the grandeur can still be seen.

Kashi Vishwanatha Temple is situated just near to Mallikarjuna Temple and is built in the Nagara style of architecture. Don't miss out on mythological depictions of Shiva, Ravana and female sculptures at this amazing temple.

The Jain Temple of Pattadakal, locally known as Jaina Narayana, was constructed in 9th century AD by the Rashtrakutas belonging to Manyakheta. They followed the Dravidian style of architecture while constructing this temple. This structure has been built on a plinth with triple mouldings that have recesses and projections. It is among the most important tourist attractions of the area and must be visited by all travellers going through Pattadakal.

According to a popular belief, this Jain Temple was sanctioned by King Amoghavarsha or his son Krishna II. The structure has three storeys; the lower two storeys are still operational. Tourists visiting this temple can see an antechamber (antarala), a porch (mukha mandapa), a hall (mandapa) and a square sanctum along with the circumambulatory path.

The exterior portions of kakshasana (the balcony seat) are embellished with bas-relief figures of dancers, nidhis, vyalas and purnaghata. Figures of large elephants with mahouts can be seen on the walls of the hall. The entrance of the hall is adorned with purnaghatas, six bands with Sanka Nidhi and Padma Nidhi. In addition to all these, devotees can view the massive pillars in antarala and the hall.

Sangameshwara Temple, which was earlier called Vijayeswara Temple, is a religious site in Pattadakal. It was built by the Chalukya king, Vijayaditya Satyashraya, circa 733 AD. This temple is regarded as one of the oldest temples in India and the oldest temple of this region, thus, making it a must-see site for all tourists. The structure represents Dravidian architectural style and possesses an inner passage, a hall and a sanctum. The outer wall of this temple is adorned with sculptures of Ugranarasimha and Nataraja.

The design of the temple roof and hall are similar to that of Virupaksha Temple, which itself has been inspired from Kailasanathar Temple of Kanchi. Both of these temples have been constructed in square shape, from the base to the shikhara. Niches (devekoshthas) of the Sangameshwara Temple have beautiful carvings of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The parapet incorporates architectural elements, such as salas (oblong) and karnakutas (square) that match the relieved bays located below.

Papanatha Temple is a small temple built for Mukteswara and situated to the south of Virupaksha area. From the inscriptions, it was found that the structure was completed circa 740 AD. The idols of Nandi and Virabhadra had been placed in proximity to the entrance of the inner hall. Tourists visiting this temple can observe 16 massive pillars that are supporting the ceiling of the primary hall.

Pillars and pilasters of the temple are adorned with intricate carvings of females and couples (termed mithunas). Devotees can also see sculptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, accompanied by musicians, on the ceiling of the ardha mandapa of the temple. The unique carvings of the temple show important events from Ramayana, the Hindu epic.

This temple has an entrance porch with kakshasana, a sabha mandapa, an ardha mandapa and a sanctum that is surrounded by a circumambulatory path. The unique thing to be noted here is that this temple does not include a nandi mandapa, though an exquisite figure of Nandi has been kept in the sabha mandapa. The intricate carvings of this temple themselves ensure that it deserves to be on the must-see list of all tourists headed towards Pattadakal.

Mallikarjuna Temple is an ancient temple that was built during the 7th century by Trilokyamahadevi, the second queen of Vikramaditya. She gave the orders to build this temple after the completion of Virupaksha Temple to honour her husband's win over the Pallavas. This structure is quite similar to the Virupaksha Temple in terms of design and elevation and represents its Dravidian architectural style as well. It is on the must-visit lists of all travelling to Pattadakal.

This temple includes an antechamber (antarala) with a sub-shrine, a sabha mandapa and a sanctum (garbhagriha) with a circumambulatory path. Presently, the sub-shrines that were once devoted to Mahisasuramardhini and Ganesha are empty. Important events from purans and epics had been carved on pillars of the sabha mandapa. Nandi mandapa is another attractive feature of the Mallikarjuna Temple, which epitomises beautiful architectural style of ancient times. Its basement is embellished with intricate carvings of elephants, horses and other animals.

Galaganatha Temple is situated to the north of Virupaksha, which was built in the early 8th century AD. Upon entering the premises of this temple, devotees can view the Shukanasa and Navaranga as well as a sanctum that houses a Shivalinga along with a circuit pathway that was built around the sanctum. Small statues of Kubera and Gajalakshmi have been placed within Galaganatha Temple. It is amongst the most popular sites located in and around Pattadakal region and must be visited by all tourists.

This temple was constructed on a plinth with three mouldings that present chaitya arch motifs as well as playing dwarves. Visitors can see the sculpture of Lord Shiva slaying the demon Andhakasura in the pavilion of this temple. On a closer look, devotees would notice that the eight-armed god is wearing a wreath of human skulls and is piercing Andhakasura with a trishul. The exterior sanctum walls are embellished with niches or devakostas that were produced by well-designed pilasters. The door frame of the outer chamber showcases Shiva in a dancing stance on lintel and River Goddesses at the base.

Kadasiddhesvara Temple, which was built circa 7th century AD, has been constructed on an elevated plinth with five mouldings. This temple is popular among tourists for its sculpture of Lord Shiva with a trident or trishul in one hand. The twin temple of Kadasiddhesvara is Jambulingeswara Temple, which is another popular feature of the site and was built at the same time. Both the temples represent the Nagara architectural style and have striking resemblance with the Hucchimalli Guddi at Aihole.

This temple has a square sanctum or garbhagriha that enshrine a linga on pitha, rectangular mandapa and an astylar. The rekhanagar-style superstructure with curvilinear profile has a rudimentary sukanasa projection. Tourists will notice that the sukanasa represents dancing Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in chaitya arch. The niches found on walls of the sanctum have the beautiful images of Harihara (west), Ardhanariswara (north) and Shiva (south). It is suggested that all tourists travelling to Pattadakal must visit this temple.