Badami Fort: Opposite the famous cave temples, you will find Badami fort, another landmark featuring many old and precious temple carvings and sculptures. The hill-top fort features a large granary and an underground chamber. One of the region’s oldest temples dedicated to Shiva – Malegitti Shiva is located here. The route to the top of the fort is steep and there are many scenic viewpoints where you can stop and soak in the beauty of the place.
The famous Upper Shivalaya was built by the Chalukya ruler Pulakesan II and features sculpted representations of mythological tales on its walls. The lion and elephant heads above the temple stairs are one of the striking highlights of this temple. The lower Shivalaya honours Lord Ganesh and a highlight here is the 16th century canon that stands like a sentinel looking over the town.
At a distance of 1.5 Kms from Badami Bus Station and behind Badami Museum, Badami Fort is situated on top of a hill on the northern banks of Agasthya Lake, other side of the famous Badami Cave Temples. The fort can be reached by a plight of steep steps from the museum. It’s open at 6am to 6pm.
There is a pathway, paved with red sandstone and smoothed to a marble finish, cut right through the rock formation. On either side of the pathway, steep rocks rise to more than a hundred feet. The entire pathway is thus shaded and even the breeze around the fort is slightly nippy. The way upward is fringed with several cellars and prisons. The twin forts stand tall at around 50 ft each and the clear lake in-between make it a picture-book location.
There are several decorated gateways build out the rock with carvings. There are two temples inside the fort, well known as Lower Shivaalayaa and Upper Shivaalayaa
The Lower Shivaalayaa is a small two story structure on the corner of hill overlooking the Badami town. lower Shivaalayaa honours Lord Ganesh and a highlight here is the 16th century canon that stands like a sentinel looking over the town.
The Upper Shivaalayaa is a Dravidian style structure on top of the other side of hill. going the way to Upper Shivaalayaa. you can witnessed There are several ruined structured all around the fort.
Badami Fort was built in the Chalukyan style of architecture. The fort is surrounded by double fortification walls. The structures within the fort offer a glimpse of the architectural grandeur prevalent during the Chalukyan reign.
The fort encompasses large granaries, a huge underground chamber, carved temples, strategically located watch towers and other several other impressive structures. There is a masjid like structure situated in the centre of the fort, which is believed to have been constructed by Tipu Sultan. The Badami Fort boasts of a large cannon that reminds one of the various attacks witnessed by the silent fort.
The fort provides magnificent views of all the monument of Badami, including Caves, Lake, Bhoothanatha temples and other monuments. Entire Badami town can be seen from the fort hill. Though the initial structured were constructed during the Chalukya period, most part of the existing fort on eastern side was build in 18th century by Tipu Sultan who was so impressed with the place and ordered to build a fort. The fort’s one or the main attraction is the 16th century Tipu’s cannon.
✅ Map – Fort entrance near the Archaeological Museum Badami https://goo.gl/maps/imyDKa4jGCof7Wjx9
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