Pattadakal, Karnataka

Galganatha Temple

Pattadakal (Kannada - ಪಟ್ಟದ್ಕಲ್ಲು) is a town in the Indian state of Karnataka The town lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district of North Karnataka region. It is 22 km from Badami and about 10 km from Aihole. The group of 8th century CE monuments in Pattadakal are the culmination of the earliest experiments in the vesara style of Hindu temple architecture. They were designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. The town displays both Dravidian (Southern) and the Nagara (Northern, Indo-Aryan) styles of temple architecture and this temple is the finest testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmin Stapathis in planning and sculpting this architectural wonder

~ Wikipedia

2008-04-27
We left Aihole in a hurry. The plan was to check out Pattadakal and then head for Badami to roost for the night. The afternoon was ending as we passed through very rugged, remote landscapes, red rocky sandstone/granite hills, lone farms, sunflower fields. As we neared Pattadakal it became more populated. If Ahiole had your mouth open, Pattadakal will get your tongue to stick straight out. It is a amazing piece of architecture, immaculately maintained. The pink sandstone temples with their intricate carvings and sculptures were a sight to see. I wish I had planned more time here... But as the sun started getting nearer the horizon, I had to head for Badami.











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