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Temple Sculptures of Pattadakal
Temple Sculptures of Pattadakal is renowned for the Hindu portrayal in iconography and the social life during rule of Chalukyas.

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Temple Sculptures of Pattadakal, KarnatakaTemple Sculptures of Pattadakal is an example of Chalukyan art. Pattadakal is a UNESCO inscribed World Heritage site featuring 7th and 8th-century Hindu (Shaivism) and Jain temples.

Location of Pattadakal
Pattadakal is a village and an important tourist centre in the state of Karnataka and is located on the left bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote. It is 22 km from Badami, and about 10 km from Aihole, both of which are well known for Chalukya monuments. It is 514 km from Bengaluru. The Pre-Chalukya historical and archaeological site Bachinagudda is also near Pattadakal.

Pattadakal- An Example of Chalykyan Architecture
The Chalukya architecture style which was originated during the 5th - 8th centuries at Aihole in the Malaprabha river basin, in present-day Bagalkot district of Karnataka state is dominant in Pattadakal. The architects of Chalukyan Era experimented with different architectural styles, blended the Nagara and Dravidian styles, and evolved their own distinctive style. In the middle of the 7th century, the temple building activity shifted from Badami to Pattadakal.

Inscriptions in Pattadakal
There are numerous Kannada language inscriptions at Pattadakal. Most important among them are at Virupaksha Temple, which is an 8th century Kannada inscription on victory pillar; another is in the Sangameshwara temple which is a large old Kannada inscription of Sinda chieftain Chavunda II (1162 A.D.) describing grants made by King Vijayaditya for the construction of the temple.

Virupaksha Temple
Temple Sculptures of Pattadakal, KarnatakaVirupaksha Temple was built by Queen Lokamahadevi. Virupaksha Temple was erected on the structural lines of Kailashnath Temple (Kanchi). However Virupaksha became the brainwave for Kailashnath Temple at Ellora Caves. Virupaksha Temple is famous for its affluent structures like Lingodbhava, Nataraja, Ravananugraha and Ugranarasimha.

Mallikarjuna Temple
Mallikarjuna Temple was built by Trilokya Mahadevi. The main aim behind the erection of Mallikarjuna Temple was to commemorate the victory of the Chalukyas over the Pallava Dynasty. The temple is celebrated for its artistic sculptures.

Papanatha Temple
Papanatha Temple is the only temple that has been designed on both north and south Indian styles of architecture. This temple in Pattadakal is containing a Nagara styled Vimanam. The temple dates back to 680 AD. Initially, the construction of Mallikarjuna Temple was started with Nagara style, but later it was switched to Dravidian style. The temple is famous for its sculptures that are imbibed from the scenes of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Jain Temple
Jain Temple in Pattadakal was constructed by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta. It was built in the Dravidian style. The temple comprises of really beautiful sculptures. Perhaps, it was erected either by King Amoghavarsha I or his son Krishna II in the 9th century.

Jambulinga Temple
Jambulinga Temple was built in Nagara style. Jambulinga Temple is built on the lines of Hucchimalli Guddi at Aihole. The temple houses the image of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati along with Nandi. Jambulinga Temple has a horseshoe-shaped projection in its exteriors.

Sangamesvara Temple
Sangameshvara Temple is known to all for its uniqueness in architecture and its age. This temple was built by King Vijayaditya Satyashraya during 697 -733 AD. This incomplete temple appeals with its colossal structure of Pattadakal.


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