Page 544 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

542  SOUTHWESTERN INDIA

s Pattadakal

The sacred complex at Pattadakal is picturesquely situated on
the banks of the Malprabha river. A UNESCO World Heritage
Site, its superb 8th-century temples offer a fitting climax to
the artistic achievements of the Chalukya kings, as seen in
nearby Badami (see pp540–41) and Aihole (see pp544–5). While
these towns were important ancient settlements, Pattadakal,
with only a small resident population, was mainly used for
royal festivities and coronation ceremonies.
Exploring Pattadakal cut tiers of horseshoe­shaped
The main temple complex motifs and a ribbed finial. The
at Pattadakal is situated in Kashi Vishvanatha Temple,
landscaped gardens next which lies to the west,
to the small village. dates from the mid­8th Shiva appearing out of the fiery linga,
Constructed in a century and further Virupaksha Temple
combination of the illustrates the
North Indian and developments in The incomplete hall in front has
South Indian the North Indian been restored.
temple styles temple style. Its The largest temples are the
(see p24), these faceted tower is twin Virupaksha and Mallik­
spectacular entirely covered arjuna temples to the south.
structures reveal with a mesh Both are dedicated to Shiva
a great deal The modest Galaganatha Temple, design of and were constructed in AD 745
about the evolu­ built of sandstone interlocking by two sister queens of the
tion of temple horseshoe­arched powerful Chalukya king,
architecture in South India. motifs. The columns inside Vikramaditya II, to commemorate
the small vestibule preceding the his victory over the Pallava
North Indian-style Temples sanctum are carved with a rulers of Tamil Nadu. These
Characterized by their curved variety of mythological scenes. temples represent the climax
towers (shikharas) over the of early Chalukya architecture
inner sanctum, North Indian­ South Indian-style Temples and are said to be based on
style temples are exemplified South Indian temple towers the Kailasanatha Temple in
in the Kadasiddeshvara and (vimanas) rise in a stepped Kanchipuram (see p586). They
Jambulinga temples, which pyramidal formation, as in also served as the inspiration
are situated near the entrance. the Sangameshvara Temple, for the colossal Kailasanatha
These are unassuming sandstone the earliest in the complex. It monolith at Ellora (see pp480–82).
structures with damaged wall was erected by the Chalukya Today, the Virupaksha
sculptures and curving tiered king, Vijayaditya, who died Temple is the only functioning
towers. The larger but in AD 733 before the structure shrine in this complex. In front
incomplete Galaganatha was completed. Its multi­ is a Nandi pavilion with a
Temple nearby has a well­ storeyed tower is capped magnificently carved bull
preserved tower with sharply with a square domed roof. covered by a cloth. The temple

The twin Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna Temples, Pattadakal
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp701–702 and pp716–17

542-543_EW_India.indd 542 26/04/17 11:48 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm