World Heritage Sites of Karnataka – Pattadakal
The group of monuments in Pattadakal is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Karnataka. Pattadakal, in Bijapur district of Karnataka, is known for temple building that incorporates various north Indian and south Indian styles.
The Chalukyan kings favoured the growth of art and architecture, which is seen in the monuments here. The oldest temple here, Sangamesvara Temple, was built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya in the 8th century. The Chalukyans also built other temples here. The temples built by them are famous for its intricate and detailed art work. Certain episodes from the Mahabharata, Bhagavata, Ramayana and Panchatantra are sculpted or painted here.
The Virupaksha temple is the most famous one in Pattadakkal and is said to be modeled on the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and has many sub-shrines within its complex. The Virupaksha temple in turn, was the inspiration for carving out the great Kailasa at Ellora near Mumbai.
The Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna II built a temple along Jain beliefs. Also called Jaina Narayana, its two lower storeys are still functional and was one of the last temples built here. Pattadakkal can be reached by rail and road. Badami, a town 24km away has the nearest railway station.
