Bagalkot district

The heartland of the early Chalukya dynasty, where Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal serve as the cradle of Indian temple architecture.

Bagalkot district is located in northern Karnataka, India, with the Malaprabha River flowing through it, featuring striking red sandstone landscapes. This was the core region of the early Chalukya dynasty: the Badami cave temples are carved into the cliffs overlooking Agastya Lake, the Durga Temple in Aihole features a unique design, and the Pattadakal monument group is a UNESCO World Heritage site that blends northern and southern Indian architectural styles. Oct–Feb offers cooler weather and is the best time to visit. Visitors can take a train to Badami station, and the nearest airports are located around Hubli and Belgaum.

Destinations

• Badami

Itineraries

• Karnataka Dynasty Heritage Trail – Travel south to north to see Mysuru, Hoysala temples, Hampi, Badami, and Vijayapura.
• Goa, Hampi & Badami Loop – Take a train from Goa up to the Deccan Plateau, spend three days in Hampi, and visit Chalukya caves.