Pattadakal in Karnataka is famous for its group of monuments that reflect the brilliant styles of architecture and artistic work dating back to 8th Century. It serves as a great mélange of the Dravidian and the Northern (Indo-Aryan) styles of temple architecture. It was declared as a World Heritage Center in 1987.
History:
This scenic town is located on the banks of the river Malaprabha. After Badami, and Aihole, Pattadakal became the capital of the Chalukya rulers. Packed with a dozen temples of varying sizes and antiquity, Pattadakal is well known for its early Chalukyan architecture. The famous Virupaksha Temple was built by Queen Lokamahadevi in the year 745 A.D to celebrate her husband's Vikramaditya II’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchi.
Pattadakal was known as the Red Town as the sand stone here is reddish in color.
Best For:
* Beautiful Temple architecture culminating the Dravidian and Northern styles of temple architecture. * Annual dance festival known as the Chalukya Utsava. Held during the months January /February
In winter, the temperatures can fall up to 18 °C, while in summer they can scale up to 40°C. The best time to visit is between October and March..
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here. It is advisable to exchange foreign currency and travelers cheques at larger cities such as Bangalore and Goa before arriving at Pattadakal.
No special permits required, but all foreign nationals need a visa for visiting India.
It is better to take a flight to Bangalore or Goa, and then hire a cab or rent a vehicle to explore the places along with a guide. Taking a Bus from Bangalore to Hospet and then again a bus to Pattadakal is also recommended. A bus route from Goa- Bijapur- Pattadakal is another good option.
Domestic Flights Apart from Goa (260 kms) and Bangalore [570 kms] another domestic airport is at Belgaum [200 kms approx.]. It is recommended to get a flight from Goa or Bangalore as the frequency of flights is better.
Road Travel Road travel is recommended in case you plan to visit Pattadakal. From Goa or Bangalore, a private vehicle or bus can be hire tod Hospet. Hospet is an excellent base for exploring Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi and Badami.
Train Travel The nearest railway station is located at Badami, which is around 24 kms away. However, this route is not recommended as the railway station is quite small, and is not very well connected with other towns. Also, these trains are slow and take much longer that road travel.
There are no luxury hotels here. As Pattadakal is a small town, accommodation options are limited. It is advisable to stay at a hotel or lodge in Badami or Hospet which offer a wider range of accommodation facilities.
Every year, there is a Dance Festival held in January or February known as the Chalukya Utsava. This event is celebrated by dance and music lovers who come down from all other parts of the country.
The place is perfect for people who love the ancient architecture and ancient history. It is recommended to visit this place during the month of January or February for the Chalukya Utsava. Combine the trip with nearby temple towns like Badami and Aihole that are famous for their ancient architecture.
