It has been listed amongst the World Heritage Sites due to its remarkable temples.

It illustrates the Chalukyan art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries A.D. , under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonius blend of architectural forms from the north and south of India.

There is an impressive series of nine Hindu Temple, as well as a Jain Sanctuary.
The oldest temple at Pattadakal is the Sangameswara Temple built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya( A.D. 697-733). It is a simple but a massive structure.
The Temple of Virupaksha, built around 740 A.D. by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband’s victory over the kings from the south is a masterpiece in itself.

Jambulinga Temple

Another small temple with a fine figure of the Dancing Shiva with Nandi & Parvathi by his side. Built with a northern style tower, there is a horse-shoe arched projection on its facade.

Virupaksha Temple

The Mallikarjuna & the Virupaksha temples were built by two queens of Vikaramaditya II to commemorate the victory of the Chalukyas over the Pallavas. As the Virupaksha temple was built by Queen Lokamahadevi, it was originally called Lokeshwara. The temple is rich in sculpture like those of Lingodbhava, Nataraja, Ravananugraha & Ugranarasimha. Built in the southern Dravida style, it is the largest temple in the enclosure.

Jain Temple

Half a Kilometer from the enclosure, on the Pattadakal-Badami Road, is this Jain temple built in the Dravidian style. It has some very beautiful sculpture & probably dates from the ninth century.
Galaganath Temple

Built of sandstone, the tower is in the northern “Rekhanagara” style. The temple was probably never completed. It contains a beautiful sculpture of Shiva in the act of killing the Andhakasura

Sanghameswara Temple

Perhaps the oldest temple in Pattadakal, it was built by King Vijayaditya ( 696-733 AD) & was called Vijayewara after him. Now called Sangameshwara, the temple is built in Dravidian style & consists of a sanctum, inner passage & a hall. There are sculptures on the outer wall like those of Ugranarasimha & Nataraja.

Kada Siddeshwara Temple

This small temple, built in the North Indian style, consists of shrine & a hall. There is a fine sculpture which depicts Shiva holding a serpent & trident in his raised arms with Parvathi by his side.

Malikarjuna Temple

Built by Trailokyamahadevi, the queen of Vikramaditya II (734-745AD), it was originally called Trailokeshwara Temple. It is similar to the Virupaksha Temple but smaller in size. The ceiling has panels of Gajalakshmi & Nataraja with Parvathi. Pillars in the temple depict the birth & life of Krishna. There are sculptures of Mahishasuramardini (very similar to the one in Mamallapuram) & Ugranarasimha.

Papanatha Temple

Just outside the enclosure is this ornate temple built about 680 AD. This was an early attempt to develop the northern style of architecture, which was later abandoned in favour of the more balanced Dravidian or Pallava style. It contains impressive sculpted scenes from Ramayana & Mahabharatha

Sculpture Gallery

There is a sculpture gallery maintained by Archeological survey of India within the Pattadakal temple complex

Tourist Information
Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset.
Entry fee for those above 12 years: Rs. 5.00.
Free entry on Fridays.

Best Time To Visit Pattadakal

October to February.

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