Group of monuments at Pattadakal - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Located on the banks of Malaprabha river, Pattadakal group of temples take tourists back to the 7th and 8th century Chalukyan dynasty era. Pattadakal, the 'City of the Crown Rubies' (Pattada Kisuvolal) illustrates the apogee of eclectic art in a harmonious blend of architectural forms from the North and South of India. These temples were developed during the reigns of Vijayaditya (696-733 CE), Vikramaditya II (733-746 CE) and Kirtivarman II (746-753 CE), in this fertile valley. They are all dedicated to Lord Shiva and face Eastwards. However, depiction of religious motifs is not limited to Shaivism but recruits images generously from the Hindu pantheon. The group is divided into 10 temples with 9 for Lord Shiva and one Jain temple dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankar, Parsvanatha.

The visit starts with the Virupaksha temple built by Queen Loka Mahadevi after the successful military campaigns of his husband King Vikramaditya II against the Pallavas. It resembles the Kailasanatha temple of Kanchipuram in ground plan, but is the fully mature Early Chalukyan architecture in all its glory. The walls are divided into projections and recesses. The interior is covered with friezes depicting stories from Mahabharata. Many inscriptions are found engraved in different parts of the temple, some of which also name the architect(s) involved in building the structure. Galaganatha temple is a Nagara-style temple constructed in the mid-8th century. Tales from the Panchatantra are engraved in the friezes of this temple. It consists of a covered circumambulatory path which shows the tradition of going round temples, which is a unique feature of this temple.

Mallikarjuna temple is in fact a miniature version of the Virupaksha temple as they both share several architectural similarities. King Vikramaditya’s second queen Rani Trilokyamahadevi built this temple to celebrate their victory over the Pallavas. An exquisite image of Lord Narasimha killing the demon king Hiranyakashipu augments the beauty of this monument. Kadasiddeshwar temple is a modest structure constructed during the middle to late 7th century. It attests to the still evolving Early Chalukyan architecture. Sangameshwara temple is another large Dravida-style temple built in early 8th century with the walls having niches that are adorned by various forms of Vishnu and Shiva. Windows of different designs amplify the beauty of the temple.

Jambulingeswara temple shares the same period to the Kadasiddeshwar temple. A minutely detailed frieze of swans runs below the cornice of the temple wall is a sight to behold. Papanatha temple is the largest temple in the Northern style. It seems to have undergone modifications outside those of the original plan. Images of several Gods are carved on the ceiling narrating episodes from Ramayana and other texts. Kashi Vishwanatha temple is probably the last temple built in this compound. It showcases the wonderfully developed style of Northern style rising in five stages. The walls are decorated with paired pilasters supporting the pediments of the elaborately relieved arches.

Stories from Shiva and Bhagavat puranas are also a delight to behold. The only Jain temple in the list, it was constructed during the rule of Rashtrakuta dynasty in the 9th century. Though built under a different ruler, it follows the basic pattern developed during the Early Chalukyan era. It is a three storied construction with the two lower stories still functional. The main hall houses an image of Parsvanatha. A circumambulatory path with collapsed walls is also present. The projections and recesses of the walls contain images of Jain saints in various postures. If Aihole is the ‘schooling’, Badami is the ‘college’, then Pattadakal village is the ‘university’ for the temple architecture, because of its world heritage site credit given by UNESCO in 1987.