Pattadakal . Review on Pattadakal

Pattadakal is situated on the banks of Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district in state of Karnataka in India. It is at 22 km from Badami and 10 km from Aihole, both of which are well known for Chalukya monuments. It is 514 km from Bangalore. Bachinagudda is a pre-Chalukya period historical place and Archaeological site near Pattadakal. Pattadakal was an official capital for the Early Western Chalukya kings, who built many temples here between 7th and 9th century.

Because it is surrounded by red mountains it was called as Kisuvolal(Red Town) or Raktapura(Raktha means blood). Later to commemorate the victory of their kings it was named as Pattadakal to mean ‘Victory stone’. This is evidenced by certain inscriptions. Pattadakal continued to be an important centre under Rashtrakuta kings and Kalyani Chalukyas.

According to Holy Scripts Malaprabha River is considered as very auspicious. There are 10 shrines comprising of nine Shiva temples and one Jaina Basadi, on the northern River bed. Pattadakal was capital of Chalukya rulers who built many temples here between 7th and 9th century.

We can see many inscriptions in Kannada language at Pattadakal, particularly in Virupaksha Temple. There I have seen a Halagannada(Old Kannada) inscription on victory pillar of 8th century. So also in the Sangameshwara temple we can see large inscription tablet(696-733) describing grants made by King Vijayaditya for construction of temple. There are two main temples namely of Lord Virupaksha and Lord Mallikarjuna that were built by queens of Vikramaditya II to honour his achievements. These temples were earlier called as Lokeshwara and Trailokeshwara in other words in the names of Queens Lokamahadevi and Trailokadevi but later on they have been identified as temples of Lord Virupaksha and Lord Mallikarjuna respectively. Lord Virupaksha temple is the most beautiful temple in south Indian style. During 1987 UNESCO included Pattadakal in its list of World Heritage Sites.

Lord Virupaksha temple is built in Dravidian style, with large enclosure, rich in sculpture similar to Lingodbhava, Nataraja, Ravananugraha and Ugranarasimha temples in Pattadakal built by Queens Lokamahadevi in 745. It was brought up to celebrate the victory of her husband Vikramaditya II over the Pallava king of Kanchi.

This shrine has triple entrances from north, east and south porches. There is a sanctum, an inner passage, pillared navaranga in it. There is a gigantic doorway from east but small gate behind. I tried to read the inscriptions with carved figures on inside stone mantapa, but in vain. Further entry takes us to four-pillared Nandimantapa where a fine big stone bull is seated. We pass through the circuit path in sanctum to do pradakshina to the black Shivalinga mounted on square pedestal.

I saw the wonderful and attractive carvings representing episodes from Ramayana, Lord Narasimha, Gajendramoksha and Shiva thandava dance on 18 pillars inside this temple.

The Kanchi city in Tamil Nadu is fully decorated by beautiful temples of rich architecture. The structure-model of Lord Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal, built in Dravidian style, made me recollect the temple of Kailasanathar in Kanchi because of its similarities.

The other shrines in Pattadakallu are

Lord Sangameshwara Temple

Lord Chandrashekhara temple

Lord Mallikarjuna Temple

Lord Kashiviswanatha Temple

Lord Galganatha temple

Lord Kadasiddheswara and Lord Jambulingeswara twin Temples(These twin Temples are built in very similar styles).

Lord Jambulinga temple

Jain Temple

Lord Papanatha temple, and other monuments.

Pattadakal is connected by road from Aihole, Badami(22 kms) and Bangalore(514 kms). Badami is nearest railway station and the nearest airport is at Belgaum. Buses are provided from these places to Pattadakal. Food and accommodation are available without risk.