Badami in Karnataka can be the perfect tourist place for history fans and those who love exploring places with unusual landscapes. Situated in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, Badami is famous for its ancient rock-cut monuments and a rugged landscape dominated by red sandstone outcrops and quaint natural beauty. From sightseeing to rock climbing and bouldering, there are many things to do in Badami.
5 Best Places to Visit in Badami
● Badami Cave Temples
● Badami Fort
● Archaeological Museum
● Agastya Tirtha Lake
● Akka-Tangi Falls
1. Badami Cave Temples
One of the most popular tourist places to visit in Badami is the ancient Badami cave temples. The group of temples is famous for its exquisite rock-cut architecture. The caves are dated from the late 6th century when the place was the capital city of the Chalukya kingdom.
Carved in red sandstone rocks, the cave temples are built with a combination of the Dravidian architecture of South India and the Nagara architecture of North India, which looks extremely beautiful.
2. Badami Fort
Built by the Chalukya King Pulakeshin I, the Badami fort is situated on the top of a hill, 2 km away from the main town. You can see the double fortification walls that once ensured enhanced security from the numerous attacks the fort withstood. The statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Vahana, greets visitors at the fort’s entrance.
The fort is one of the best places to visit in Badami because it provides a stunning view of the entire Badami town.
3. Archaeological Museum
Situated on the foothills of the Badami fort, the Archaeological museum at Badami has many rare and ancient specimens and local sculptures. Initially commissioned as a place to store and preserve ancient sculptures, it was converted into a full-fledged museum in 1982.
The museum has four galleries containing rare sculptures of Lord Shiva in His various forms, Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganapati. However, the exhibit that grabs instant attention is the beautifully carved sculpture of the ancient fertility goddess Lajja Gauri.
4. Agastya Tirtha Lake
Situated a distance of 1 km away from the Badami bus station, the divine Agastya Tirtha Lake is one of the most significant places to see in Badami. A must-visit place for religious people, the lake is considered sacred by the locals and is believed to have healing properties. People believe a dip in the holy water can wash away sins.
Additionally, the magnificent Bhoothnatha Temples, located on the east side of the lake, add to the mystical charm of the lake. The site is an ideal place in Badami to watch the sunset.
5. Akka-Tangi Falls
In the Kannada language, Akka means elder sister and Tangi can mean kid sister. There is actually a pair of two falls in close proximity, hence the name Akka-Tangi. The Badami sightseeing tour is incomplete without a visit to the splendid Akka-Tangi falls. Nestled amidst incredible natural greenery, it is the first fall of the Sharavathi river.