Heritage Karnataka Hampi Badami Pattadakal Aihole Lakkundi Kittur Chennamma Fort Chitradurga Fort Bijapur Gulbarga Fort Bidar Fort Mysore Palace Srirangapatna Somnathpur Belur Helebidu Bangalore Palace Tipu's Fort And Palace Bellary Fort Adi Chunchanagiri       District: Bagalkot   Aihole - 44km Hubli - 110km Bijapur - 150km Bangalore - 480 km   Gadag - 70km Hubli - 110km Bijapur - 150km   Dabolim (Goa) - 290km STD Code: 08357     Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, the exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. Climb a flight of steps to reach the four ancient rock-cut caves replete with carved pillars and bracket figures, all hewn out of red sandstone on the precipice of a hill. The largest of them is the third cave, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18-armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses in the first cave. Overlooking the caves is the Agastya Theertha Tank, its banks dotted with a cluster of Bhoothanatha temples.