Badami Tourism

Badami, located in the northern part of Karnataka, is well known for its great history and architecture. There are plenty of ancient temples, forts, and historical places to visit in Badami. This most significant landscape is once regarded as the ancient capital of the early Chalukya kingdom. Thus, one can spot many Chalukya styled monuments and forts. Likewise, it’s equally famous for its rock-cut cave temples, which have been carved out on the red sandstone hills. There are also a number of fairs and festivals performed annually that is worth visiting at least one time.

Over the years, the once-celebrated mighty forts, fishing lakes, and Hindu deity temples are now turned into the most-visited tourist places in Badami. Here, places like Badami Fort, Bhutanatha Temples, and Ravana Pahad offer a perfect environment for tourists to spend an entire day. They can discover the archaeological findings and their deep insights. Similarly, kids can play over the open lawn and have unlimited fun with their siblings. Thus, one can get an unparallel experience throughout their journey. To witness the best of Badami, you must come between October and February, where the climate is soothing and gives a pleasant atmosphere wherever you go.

History of the Chalukyas of Badami
The Chalukyas of Badami rose to power in much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the middle of the 6th century AD.
The Chalukya dynasty was founded by Pulkesin I, who signalized his accession to power by the performance of the Vedic horse-sacrifice. He was succeeded by his sons, Kirtivarman I and Mangalesa, who extended the empire in all directions and the Kalachuris of northern Maharshtra and Malwa were forced to surrender. The Kadamba capital was finally reduced by Pulkeshin II (609 -642), son of Kirtivarman, the greatest king of the line.

He was an approximate contemporary of Harsha of Kannauj, one of the greatest Indian rulers, whom he defeated on the banks of the Narmada river thereby checking the advance of the northern ruler to south India. This event has been referred to with pride in the Chalukyan inscriptions of later years. The Chalukyas of Badami are also known as early western Chalukyas who rose to power in much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the middle of the 6th century AD.

Pulakesin II ascended the Chalukya throne after the death of Manglesh, brother of Kirtivarman (father of Pulakesin II). An intrepid warrior, he is said to have made an onslaught on the neighbouring kingdom of Pallavas whose ruler Mahendravarman I was forced to cede the northern parts of his kingdom to him. He reduced the Kadamba capital of Vaijayanti. He brought Pishtapura in the Godavari district under the dominions of his empire. His younger brother, Kubja Vishnuvardhana, was made governor of the province. The Chalukyan king also used to have a navy which he employed to besiege Puri, not far from the modern Mumbai.

During the reign of Pulakesin II, an army by the Arabs was sent to Thana near Mumbai in about AD 637. He is said to have entertained the envoy from the king of Persia. However, there is no unanimity among the historians on this.
The last days of Pulakesin II were far from happy. The Pallava king, Narasimhhavarman I, son and successor of Mahendravarman I, avenged the defeat of his father by destroying the Chalukyan capital Vatapi and assumed the title of “Vatapi Konda" (the Conqueror of Vatapi) to commemorate his victory against the Chalukyas. Pulakesin II died in AD.642.

The fortunes of the Chalukyas were revived by Vikramaditya I, son of Pulkeshin II who renewed the struggle against the Pallavas. His grandson Vikramaditya II is credited to have reduced the Pallava capital. He was succeeded by his son who was overthrown in or about 753, by a chief named Dantidurga who laid the foundation of the great Rashtrakuta Empire of Manyakheta in the present Gulbarga district of Karnataka. Thus came the end of Early Chalukyas