Caves in Badami

The four main cave temples in Badami are dedicated to various Hindu deities and are considered to be among the finest examples of rock-cut architecture in India. They are known for their intricate carvings and sculptures, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology and ancient Indian life.

Cave 1 is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the largest and most elaborately decorated of the four. It features a large central hall with four pillars, and several smaller chambers that house a variety of sculptures and carvings. The ceiling of the main hall is adorned with a beautiful lotus motif, while the walls are covered with intricate carvings of gods and goddesses. 

Cave 2 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and features a magnificent statue of the deity in his reclining form. The walls of the cave are decorated with carvings of various gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Cave 3 is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features a beautiful statue of the deity in his Nataraja form. It also contains several other smaller statues and carvings, including a depiction of the goddess Ganga. 

Cave 4 is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and is the smallest of the four caves. It features a beautiful statue of the deity sitting in a lotus position, as well as several other smaller statues and carvings.

The caves are not only important from a religious and cultural perspective, but also from an architectural one. The techniques used to excavate and carve these caves are a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the ancient Indian craftsmen who built them. The caves are also an important example of the use of red sandstone in ancient Indian architecture.

These structures are also carved out of the red sandstone cliffs and are a beautiful example of the architecture of the region.