Badami Tourism

Badami, also known as Vatapi, is a small town located in the Bagalkot district of the Indian state of Karnataka. The town is famous for its historical and cultural significance, being home to several ancient temples and cave monuments. Badami is located on the banks of the Agastya Lake, at the foot of a red sandstone ridge that houses the famous Badami Cave Temples. The town is situated about 120 kilometers northwest of the city of Hampi, and about 500 kilometers northwest of the state capital of Bangalore.

History

The history of Badami dates back to the 6th century CE, when it served as the capital of the Chalukya dynasty. The Chalukyas were a powerful South Indian dynasty that ruled over large parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh between the 6th and 12th centuries CE. Badami was founded by Pulakeshin I, the first ruler of the Chalukya dynasty, who established the town as his capital in 543 CE. The town remained the capital of the Chalukya dynasty for over two centuries, during which time it flourished as a center of art, architecture, and culture.

The Chalukya dynasty was known for its patronage of the arts, and during their rule, Badami became home to several magnificent temples and monuments. The most famous of these are the Badami Cave Temples, a group of four rock-cut temples that are carved into the red sandstone cliffs overlooking the town. These temples were built between the 6th and 8th centuries CE and are dedicated to various Hindu deities.

In the 8th century CE, the Rashtrakuta dynasty overthrew the Chalukyas and established their own capital at Manyakheta, near modern-day Gulbarga. Badami continued to be an important center of culture and religion, however, and several new temples were built during the Rashtrakuta period. The town remained an important religious and cultural center throughout the medieval period, and several dynasties, including the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara Empire, made significant contributions to the town's architecture and art.

Geography

Badami is located in the northern part of Karnataka, on the Deccan Plateau. The town is situated at an altitude of about 550 meters above sea level and is surrounded by hills and valleys. The town is located on the banks of the Agastya Lake, which is a man-made reservoir that was built in the 12th century CE. The lake is an important source of water for the town and is also a popular tourist destination.

Badami is located about 120 kilometers northwest of Hampi, another important historical and cultural destination in Karnataka. The town is well-connected by road and rail, with several buses and trains running between Badami and other major cities in the state.

Demographics

Badami is a small town with a population of around 12,000 people. The majority of the population is Hindu, with a small Muslim minority. The official language of the town is Kannada, which is the state language of Karnataka. However, many people in the town also speak Hindi and English.

Economy

The economy of Badami is primarily based on agriculture and tourism. The town is located in a region that is known for its fertile soil and is famous for its production of cotton, peanuts, and other crops. Many of the people in the town are farmers, and agriculture is the primary source of income for a large part of the population.

Tourism is also an important source of income for the town, with thousands of tourists visiting Badami every year to see its temples and other historical monuments.

State :

Karnataka

How to Reach Badami