Tourism in Bagalkot district in Karnataka includes travelling to historical and religious places. The various places of tourism in the district of Bagalkot are spread over the different regions that comprise it, namely- Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Kudalasangama. Aihole is well known for the Ramalinga temple and the Muslim mosque located here. Once the capital of the early Chalukya dynasty (6th to 8th centuries), Aihole is a picturesque village on the banks of the Malaprabha river. Also called Ayyavole and Aryapura in the inscriptions, Aihole is historically famous as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. Architecture of Aihole temples is most remarkable. There are about 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered all over the villages and nearby fields. Most of these temples were built between the 6th and 8th centuries and some even earlier. Only mere traces of a fort dating from the 6th century can be seen today.
Pilgrimage Tourism in Bagalkot District
A large number of prehistoric sites have been found in Morera Angadigalu, near the Meguti hillocks in Aihole. Excavations near some temples have yielded traces of antique pottery and bases of structures constructed with bricks of pre-Chalukyan times. More temples are being excavated every day bearing witness to the vigorous experimentation on temple architecture which went on at Aihole more than 14 centuries ago. Among the numerous temples here are the Durga temple, the Ladh Khan temple, the Meguti Jain temple, the Gowda temple etc. Aihole is also well known for its famous traditional handloom, art silk and silk sarees. The best time to visit Aihole is October to March.
Badami, the one time capital of the Chalukyas, is noted for several temples, some structural and other rock-cut, of the 6th and 7th Centuries. The foundations of Badami, or Vatapi as it was called, were laid by Pulakeshin I (535 - 566 AD) his son Kirtivarman, (567 - 598 AD), beautified the town with temples and other buildings. The Badami cave temples are a group of four cave temples that have been carved out of the hill opposite Badami fort.
Leisure Tourism in Bagalkot District
The Chalukyan king, Mangalesa (598-610 AD) was responsible for the completion of these cave temples. Of the four, three are Brahman cal, while the fourth is Jain. Nearly 2000 steps have to be climbed to reach the cave. Strategically situated on top of the hill, the Badami Fort encloses large granaries and a treasury of impressive temples on top of the northern end of the hill. Also located here on the Bhutanatha Temple Road is a museum and art gallery maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The best times to visit the town are between October to March as a number of important functions take place during this time. It is well noted for the Banashankari Temple Festival held near Badami during January- February, the Virupaksha temple Car Festival in Pattadakal in March and the Mallikarjuna Temple Festival in Pattadakal in March-April.
The tiny village of Pattadakal is situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River. Referred to as Petrigal by Ptolemy, Pattadakal was later known variously as Raktapura (Red Town) and Pattadakal Kisuvolal. This place reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyas from the seventh to the ninth centuries functioning as a royal commemorative site. The group of about ten temples, surrounded by numerous minor shrines and plinths, represents the climax of early architecture in Western Chalukya dynasty.
King Vikramaditya II (734 - 745 AD) and his art loving queens Lokmahadevi and Trailkyamahadevi, brought sculptors from Kanchipuram to create fantasies in stone in Pattadakal. Some of the most beautiful temples situated here are the Jambulinga temple, Virupaksha temple, Sanghameswara Temple, Malikarjuna Temple, Kada Siddeshwara Temple etc. Also found here is a Jain temple beautifully constructed in the Dravidian style and probably dating back to the ninth century. Among the important events held here are the Banashankari Temple Festival held near Badami during January-February each year, Virupaksha Temple Car Festival in Pattadakal in March and Mallikarjuna Temple Festival in Pattadakal in March- April. The best time to visit Pattadakal is between October and March.
Kudalasangama is a place of great historical significance which also has immense religious importance. It is a temple town located at the confluence of the Krishna River and Malaprabha River. Kudalasangama is most famous for the 12th century Sri Sangameshwara temple that has been constructed in the Chalukyan style. This monument is dedicated to the poet and teacher, Basaveshwara, born in the town in the 2nd century. Kudalasangama is a famous pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. It can be easily reached by road. The nearest railway station is that of Bijapur. Thus mentioned are the various places of tourism in the Bagalkot district.
