Badami Lower Shivalaya, Karnataka

Address

Badami Lower Shivalaya, Badami, Karnataka 587201

Diety

Shiva, Ganesha

Introduction

Badami Shivalaya is located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas known as ‘vatapi’ then, from 540 to 757 AD. Situated on top of the northern hill of Badami, Built in the 7th century by the ancient Chalukyan dynasty, the Lower Shivalaya temple is part of a series of temples situated across the northern hill of Badami. This intricately carved rock-cut structure perhaps the earliest and best-surviving example of the magnificence of the Dravida style in the early Chalukya architecture. While the ravages of time and war have taken away some its original construction, the remnants have been beautifully preserved, with the current building continuing to attract tourists from far and near to marvel at its magnificence.

Puranic Significance

Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Lower Shivalaya, in its original glory, comprised of a small porch, a hall, and a double-walled sanctuary. However, only the inner sanctuary part of the original structure has been able to survive through all these centuries. The doorframe of the sanctuary is finely carved with bands of creepers and short staff-wielding door guardians. Inside the sanctuary lies a uniquely shaped elliptical lotus-petaled pedestal which has been speculated to hold a Brahmanical image in a different era. The first storey is succeeded by an octagonal neck and an octagonal dome, topped off wonderfully by a crowning stupa. The four miniature shrines at the four corners of the superstructure reflect the stucco work brought by the Vijayanagara rule. Only the towered sanctuary of the temple does exist today; its outer walls have been dismantled. The sanctuary was originally surrounded by a passageway on three sides, possibly with a mandapa extension to the east which can be predicted by observing the broken roof slabs set into its walls and the stumps of beans with friezes of ganas. The temple’s doorway is framed by bands of lotus ornament. An unusual, elliptical pedestal is seen within which happens to be empty now. The outer walls have flat pilasters but there are no signs of projections or sculptures niche. The roof is an octagon to dome topped by a tiny amalaka finial. It is framed by corner model elements topped by kuta roofs containing miniature nidhis.