Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Pattadakal, situated 22 km from Badami, hosts monuments whose architecture showcases India’s old, rich and fabulous culture. The carvings and sculptures provide enough evidence about the vision and prudence of the kings of olden times.

The monuments comprises of a cluster of ten temples, out of which nine are Hindu temples. Four of the temples are constructed in Dravidian style, four in the Nagara style and the Papanatha temple is designed in mixed style.

Pattadakal monuments were built in adulation to Vikramaditya II by his Queen to commemorate his victory over the Pallavas of Kanchi is set amidst pretty lawns.

There are carved scenes on the walls of these temples from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and friezes of men going into battle, demons and voluptuous goddesses.

Also housed in one corner is a huge Nandi Bull carved out of black stone. If you can, you should be here in the end of January, when a classical dance festival is held.

Though the construction of some temples remained incomplete, they still look attractive and enchanting. Gods, demons and women were pretty much the subject the ancient sculptors adorned. It is amazing, how the whole complex has survived the ravages of time.

A saunter through these structures will reveal how advanced India was in the art of tasteful construction even back in the 7th century. The ruined yet articulate temples of Pattadakal draw domestic as well as foreign tourists.

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