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| Vishnu image inside cave @ wikipedia |
Introduction
One of the oldest rock-cut architectural monuments of
India and situated in Badami town of Karnataka is Badami Cave Temple. The
temples were constructed when the Chalukya kings were still alive during the
6th century and through them, the Indian art, architecture and religious
practices have been testified remarkably. The red sandstone stone-cut cave
temples display a mixture of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religions that is yet to
be renowned as the bearers of cultural diversity and religious tolerance of
India.
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| Caves on the cliff above Agastya Lake @ wikipedia |
History
The Badami cave temple was built in the 6 th century when
the Chalukya dynasty took their authority in the South Indian part of the
country. The then capital of the Chalukyas was Badami. King Mangalesha (c.
578-597 CE) and his predecessor Kirtivarman I contributed significantly to the
building of these caves. The initial purpose of the Badami Caves was religious
one, and the architecture and the sculpture equally pertain to all three
religions, i.e., Hindu, Jain and Buddhist. The first three caves are devoted to
Hindu god Shiva and Vishnu, fourth to Jain Tirthankaras, and some of the
unfinished caves have Buddhist influences. These caves show the superiority of
the rock-cut architecture of Chalukya period. The ancient art and culture of
India can be seen through the beautiful sculptures, mythological descriptions
and pluralism of religions.
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| Epigraphy in the Kannada language (c. 578) dating the carving of Cave 3 @ wikipedia |
Location
Badami Cave Temples is found in Badami town within
Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The city is constructed in natural surroundings
of red sandstone hills. The caves are simply excavated in the steep rock of the
mountain that gives it even more attractive. These cave temples are found near
the Agastya Lake that is particularly important in terms both of its religious
and natural beauty. Badami town can be well reached by road and rail to
Bangalore and Hubli. Other tourist attractions in the same neighbourhood such
as Aihole and Pattakal are also as popular.
Architectural
features
The Badami Cave Temples (6 th -7th century) are one of
the rare examples of Indian rock-cut architecture. They are predominantly made
out of red sandstone and the design and carving of each cave is an indicator of
religious diversity. The overall design Caves are hewn out of the mountain
steep sides. The pillars carved on the entrance are very rich and every cave is
composed of a hall and a garbhagriha called mandapa. Sculpture Here, Hindu,
Jain and Buddhist religious images and deity are carved. The early sculptors
have painted images of the deities and goddesses, mythological tales, dance and
ornaments very delicately. Features of decoration o Designs, pictures and
mythological narrations on the pillars and walls. On the inner walls of every
cave, one can observe fine carvings and sculptures that provide a clear image
of the life that took place. The variety of architecture.
There are four major caves that have Hindu, Jain and
Buddhist influences respectively. The caves plan contains a combination of
Dravidian and Nagara style of plan which also indicates the formation of the
ancient south Indian architecture.
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| Entrance to Cave 1@ wikipedia |
Cave 1- The Temple of the Blue Cave Badami (Cave 1) is the original cave temple that is dedicated to Shaivism and was supposed to have been carved in 578 AD. It is in the lower section of the mountain and is particularly of importance to architecture and sculpture. The architectural features: The sculpted pillars and patterns in the entrance of the cave have beautified it. It has a mandap (hall) within which one may get into the sanctum sanctorum. There are mythological tales and sculptures carved on the walls and ceilings. Sculpture: The best sculpture is one of the forms of dance (Tandava) of Shiva (Nataraja) wherein he portrays different postures using 18 hands. Others in the cave include the Shiva -Ardhanarishvara (half Shiva half Parvati), the twins of Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha and Kartikeya etc. Sculptures are also carved inside as regards to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The religious significance: This cave is highly linked to the Hinduism doctrine of Shaiva and the mythology. A very interesting artifact of Badami in terms of artistic and religious perspective is cave 1.
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| Vishnu avatars@ wikipedia |
The Cave 2. The other cave belongs to Vishnu. The Vamana Avatar, Varaha Avatar among other incarnations of Vishnu are sculpted here. The sculpture is a beautiful representation of mythological narrations.
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| Vishnu Seated on Sesha @ wikipedia |
The Cave 3. The third cave is the richest and the largest. It also is committed to Vishnu. Narayana, Nrusimha and Varaha forms of Vishnu are sculptured here. Attractive paintings and sculptures on the walls.
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| Badami,_Höhle_4,_Bahubali @ wikipedia |
The Cave 4. This fourth cave is a Jain religious cave. It has carvings of Jain Tirthankaras such as Mahavira, Parshvanatha etc. It is a good specimen of Jain art. Other caves Other than the four main caves, it has some unfinished caves. Some of them are not finished yet, but are also relevant to the art and architecture of the Chalukya period.
Badami Cave Temple is significant because of the
following reasons.
The Badami Cave Temples are, not only, the religious
worship sites, but also the striking examples of the ancient Indian art,
architecture and culture. They have multi-faceted significance.
1. The
historical value: These caves were constructed in the 6 th century with the
support of the Chalukya kings and are an indication of the political and
cultural growth that existed then. The temples are the key to the history of
South India and the work of Chalukya art.
2.
The significance of Architecture and Sculpture. The brown caves may be regarded
as one of the most bright examples of the rock-cut temple architecture. The
sculptures portray mythical tales of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism and this
presents the flexibility of Indian art.
3. The
religious significance: There is a cave devoted to various deities - Shiva,
Vishnu, Jain Tirthankaras, etc. These caves are up to date regarded as
religious shrines.
4. The
Cultural Significance: The Badami caves are the symbols of the ancient Indian
social and religious coexistence. There is a unique tradition here as a result
of the fusion of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist art forms.
5.
Tourism and Heritage Conservation: Badami Cave Temple is among the most famous
tourist attraction sites in India today. It is a heritage site that is guarded
by UNESCO and Archeological Survey of India.
Conclusion
The Badami Cave Temples represent a priceless Indian heritage in terms of ancient architecture and art. These rock-cut temples carved in the Chalukya period are not only an object of religious worship, but also an excellent record of art, culture and history. Each of the caves has sculptures that portray tales of gods, Jain and Buddhist religious influences and the architecture of the time is excellent and shows the social life and religious tolerance of the era. To date, Badami Cave Temple remains the pride of the Indian heritage as well as a unique tourist destination to the world. They ask us not to forget that the architects and the artists of ancient India did not just construct the temples out of stones, but they also defied the space and time and became the forebears of the everlasting tradition.
