Description:
The ancient caves are the main attractions of Badami. Some of the prominent ones are:
Cave 1:
The cave number one, made of red sandstone, dates back to 578 A.D. and was probably the first cave to be carved. One has to climb up 40 odd steps to reach the colonnaded verandah, a hall with numerous pillars and a square shaped sanctum hollowed in the control back wall. Column shafts are masterfully crafted. On the ceiling one can see the paintings of amorous couples. Shiva and his consort Parvati, and a coiled serpent. The main attraction of the cave is the 18-armed Lord Nataraja, seen in 81 different dancing poses.
Cave 2:
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the cave has depiction of the Lord in one of his incarnations as a dwarf or Vaman. This Vaman or Trivikrama had the ability to grow and take the earth and sky in one strand. The secon cave atop a sand stone hill shows this image of the Lord. Another form of Vishnu portrayed here is as 'Varaha' or as a boar. Then there is a frieze endearingly depicting Vishnu as Lord Krishna.
Cave 3:
As one climbs the flight of steps, he reaches the huge 70 feet wide cave number three. This is a beautiful cave with its sheer artistry and sculptural genius, it has become the highlight of Deccan art.
It gives a virtual insight into the art and culture of the 6th century like costumes, jewelry hairstyle lifestyle etc. The other attractions to be looked carefully in this cave are the high relief of Vishnu with a serpent, Vishnu as Narasimha (Vishnu as Man-Lion) Varaha, Harihara (Shiva Vishnu) and Vishnu as Trivikrama.
Cave 4:
The only Jain cave among the lot, construction of which completed only 100 years later than the earlier three caves. Here one can see the carvings of the Tirthankara Parshavnatha with a serpent at his feet; Mahavira in a sitting posture also can be seen in the shrine.
