Badami North Fort & Upper Shivalaya
ಬಾದಾಮಿ ಉತ್ತರ ಕೋಟೆ
The ruins of an ancient fort on the clifftop of the lake's north shore, with the 7th-century Upper Shivalaya temple, granaries and gun platforms; the summit overlooks the town and lake.
North Fort sits on a sandstone hilltop north of Agastya Lake. It was first built under the Chalukya dynasty and later reinforced by Tipu Sultan and others. Its surviving walls, gun platforms, round granaries and treasury ruins are still visible. On the summit, the Upper Shivalaya temple, built in the 7th century, represents early Dravidian-style temple architecture, and its walls carry relief carvings of Krishna stories. A Lower Shivalaya temple lies halfway up the hill. The trail begins beside the Archaeological Museum and passes through narrow rock-cut steps, taking about 30 to 45 minutes one way. The slope is steep with no shade, so bring plenty of water. Tickets are inexpensive, and the site is generally open 09:00 to 17:30 (subject to Archaeological Survey of India hours). The summit is the best place to photograph the caves and the full lake view.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:30
Nearby sights
- Archaeological Museum, Badami
- Malegitti Shivalaya
- Badami Cave Temples
- Agastya Lake
- Bhutanatha Group of Temples
- Sidlaphadi Cave
- Mahakuta Group of Temples
- Banashankari Temple