North Karnataka is a treasure trove when it comes to historical sites and monuments. When Hampi is it’s most popular child, the smaller town of Badami is still unknown to many. Cave temples, ancient ruins and a beautiful lake sandwiched between sandstone cliffs – Badami is a place that will easily steal your heart with its rustic beauty. Not only this, Badami also serves as a gateway to the nearby towns of Aihole and Pattadakal which are famous for their stunning temples from the Chalukya era. Since Badami is just a night’s train journey away from Bangalore, you can easily cover it in a weekend trip combined with Aihole and Pattadakal.
How to Reach Badami
Train: The best way to reach Badami is by train. The trains plying between Bangalore and Bijapura/Vijayapura make a quick stop at Badami. The time taken by train is approximately 11.5 hours.
Autos will be readily available outside the railway station, but they start with very high price for dropping at the hotel. Do not forget to bargain for a fair price.
Bus: There are also AC Sleeper buses plying from Bangalore to Badami which take around 9-10 hours to reach. The bus stand at Badami is in the centre of the town.
Car: You can also visit Badami by car from Bangalore. The distance is approximately 500 kilometres.
Getting around in Badami
Badami is a small town and the attractions are located at a closer distance to the main town area. So the best way to explore the town or the attractions is by foot. But if you want otherwise, then there are auto-rickshaws available easily with affordable prices. We found the auto drivers to be very kind and helpful. For visiting nearby villages of Pattadakal and Aihole, auto-rickshaws as well as taxis can be availed.
Best time to Visit Badami
July – October: During or just after the monsoons when cloudy days offer good opportunity to go out and explore. Badami is bathed in fresh greenery during this time and is a treat to the eyes.
November – January: Winter time in Badami when days are pleasant for sightseeing.
Our time of visit: November 2019
Avoid summer as it gets too hot in the daytime.
Where to stay in Badami
The accommodation options in Badami are quite limited with most being budget or mid-range options. The hotels and guest houses are mostly located in close proximity to the bus stand and the attractions. So check the prices and choose the one that suits your need.
We stayed at Krishna Villa Homestay which is a budget property in the heart of Badami and we highly recommend it. It is a small property, but totally stood out with its hospitable hosts, delicious homely food and remarkable cleanliness.
Places to see in and around Badami
There are mainly 5 attractions to see in Badami – Cave Temples, Agastya Lake, Bhutanatha temple, Northern Hill and Archaeological Museum. All these attractions are closely located and can be covered by foot.
Cave Temples
Carved out of the sandstone cliffs and overlooking the beautiful Agastya Lake, the cave temples of Badami are the most famous among tourists. There are total 4 cave temples out of which 3 are dedicated to Hinduism and one to Jainism. Every cave has exquisite carvings, pillars with beautiful motifs and incredible lifelike statues. The caves also provide amazing views of the surrounding sandstone cliffs, Agastya Lake and the town of Badami. During sunset, the caves and the surrounding look incredible with the golden rays of the sun scattered all over them. And while you enjoy the beauty of the caves, be mindful about your bags or food items as the monkeys in the area are experts in snatching.
Time required to visit: ~1 – 1.5 hours
Entry Fee
25 for Indian Nationals
300 for Foreign Nationals
25 for Video Camera (No charges for still camera)
Northern Hill
Housing the Badami fort and two ancient temples, Northern Hill is the attraction we liked the most in Badami. When most of the people prefer spending time at the cave temples, this place is visited by very few and that is why the whole area is absolutely peaceful. Except for the artists who were engrossed in painting the beautiful surrounding on their canvas, we hardly saw other people on our way to the Northern hill top. One of the reasons why Northern Hill is not visited by many is the short trek required to reach the top. The trek takes around 30-45 minutes depending on your speed and number of stops made on the way. It’s a fairly easy trek with well laid steps covering most part of the route.
Climbing the long set of steps to the top of Northern Hill was definitely tiring on a sunny afternoon. But walking through the narrow pathway between towering sandstone cliffs was an unique experience. The naturally formed sandstone structures of different shapes looked almost outwardly. It took us around 15 minutes to reach the 1st temple on the hill called the Lower Shivalaya and then another 15 minutes to reach the temple at the top called the Upper Shivalaya. On the way, you can witness the ruins of Badami Fort too. Though both temples provide good views of the town, Agastya Lake and the surrounding rocky landscape, we personally liked Upper Shivalaya more. Being at a higher point, Upper Shivalaya provides uninterrupted views of the surrounding and it was absolutely tranquil with no other soul around. Read More….