Path to Pattadakal

Pattadakal was a religious center for India’s 7th – 8th century CE Western or ‘Badami’ Chalukyans (see posts below). It’s located in the state of Karnataka, India, and is close to other important temple sites for the Chalukyans, Badami and Aihole. The many temples of this dynasty are particularly lovely, with wonderful sculptures on the exteriors and in the interiors as well. This picture shows two temples; but what it shows, in addition, is that the Chalukyans, ruling an area that spanned parts of both north and south India, derived architectural styles from both regions. The temple on the left has a curvilinear, northern-style ‘sikhara’ or tower, while the other one has a more pyramidal, southern-style tower.