Most tourists who visit Badami in Bagalkot district visit the Badami Cave temples, Banashankari Temple, Aihole, Pattadakal and Mahakoota, but they miss the beautiful Archaeological Survey of India Museum just opposite the Cave Temples, probably because of ignorance.
Badami was the capital of the early Chalukyas, who ruled from the 6th to 8th Century AD. From that period, right up to 19th Century, Badami was a politically significant place as it was ruled by dominant dynasties. The reference of this place can be even found in Ptolemy's Geography (in 2nd Century AD) and it was then referred to as Badamoi.
Though Pulikeshi II greatly expanded his kingdom, the war with the Pallavas left the kingdom battered and bruised. But the subsequent Chalukyan kings focused on Hindu art and architecture on a huge scale. The availability of red sandstone in abundance promoted this love for architecture. When the place around Agasthya Theertha Tank was
excavated, a good number of small to massive sculptures from the Badami Chalukya period were found.
In 1979, the Archaeological Survey of India established a museum which is
located at base of the northern hill on the bank of Agasthya Theertha, near the fort and the famous Pallava Narasimhavarman's inscription. Subsequently, a modern building was constructed in the year 1982. While the natural look was maintained on the exteriors, a contemporary display was created inside.
Archaeological storehouse
It is a well maintained museum with a good collection of varied sculptural treasures. The collection, spread across four galleries, comprises of pre-historic stone implements and sculptures, architectural members, inscriptions and hero stones ranging from 6th to 16th century AD.
A beautiful Ganesha idol of 9th Century AD welcomes you into the spacious centre. You can find a rare makara torana of the Kalyana Chalukya period right after the idol. It is 3.3 m long and 1.7 m high and originally adorned free-standing pillars in a temple. Exquisite carvings on both the pillars make it the talking point of the entire collection.
Bhagavata stories like Kalinga mardana Krishna and Krishna killing the demon Kesin, Putani and Aristha depicted on sandstone are also displayed here. Other depictions on the panel include demon Pralamba kidnapping Balarama and Krishna killing the elephant Kavalayapida. Some more depictions include Tripuranthaka Shiva with eight arms standing in a chariot, God Agni and a miniature model of Aihole Durga Temple.
The second gallery is a spacious hall that houses sculptures like a lion from 8 AD, Mahishasuramardini, Bhairava, Kali, Veerabhadra, Chamunda, Naga Dampathi, Shiva, Harihara and some hero stones. However, the prized artifact is Lajje Gowri or fertility goddess, who is worshipped in a great fashion in the Malaprabha valley. Originally, it was
installed in the Nageshwara Temple in Nagarala. The third gallery displays
pre-historic tools and evolution of the human being. The other exhibits are hand axes, clovers of paleolithic period and other stone implements found in and around the cave area. Many objects found during the structural conservation of Jain Temple at Pattadakal are also displayed.
Richness redefined
The last and fourth gallery has paintings of the rock cave temple dated 578 AD, idols of Keerthimukha, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajamukha and chauri-bearers. There is also a wall mounted with photographs, showcasing the structural conservation of Pattadakal Temple complex. Sketch of an ancient quarry with intricate details also attracts many eyes. Many inscriptions like those of Mahakuta, Jaya Stamba of 601 AD and the Badami cliff inscription are notable.
Outside the Museum is the famous Pallava Narasimhavarma's inscription on a natural boulder, engraved in pallave-grantha characters. On the corridors of the Museum, a good number of sculptures are displayed like the life-sized four-handed Shiva dwarapalas.
There are many veeragallus and Sati-stones, Vishnu with his consort and flying gandharvas spread across the arena. A pair of nandis, ganas and composite animals are displayed in open air. The images of Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Malaprabha valley taken from satellite are also displayed for the tourists.
The Sidlaphadi Rock Bridge is a natural formation of rock found about 5 km from the Museum. The natural rock arch was born as a result of lightning and is also considered as a pre-historic shelter for the early humans.
This ASI Museum has an educative collection of artifacts belonging to the pre-historic sites seen in and around Badami,. Do visit it to gain an insight into the life of our ancestors. The Museum is open from Saturday to Thursday, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Badami was the capital of the early Chalukyas, who ruled from the 6th to 8th Century AD. From that period, right up to 19th Century, Badami was a politically significant place as it was ruled by dominant dynasties. The reference of this place can be even found in Ptolemy's Geography (in 2nd Century AD) and it was then referred to as Badamoi.
Though Pulikeshi II greatly expanded his kingdom, the war with the Pallavas left the kingdom battered and bruised. But the subsequent Chalukyan kings focused on Hindu art and architecture on a huge scale. The availability of red sandstone in abundance promoted this love for architecture. When the place around Agasthya Theertha Tank was
excavated, a good number of small to massive sculptures from the Badami Chalukya period were found.
In 1979, the Archaeological Survey of India established a museum which is
located at base of the northern hill on the bank of Agasthya Theertha, near the fort and the famous Pallava Narasimhavarman's inscription. Subsequently, a modern building was constructed in the year 1982. While the natural look was maintained on the exteriors, a contemporary display was created inside.
Archaeological storehouse
It is a well maintained museum with a good collection of varied sculptural treasures. The collection, spread across four galleries, comprises of pre-historic stone implements and sculptures, architectural members, inscriptions and hero stones ranging from 6th to 16th century AD.
A beautiful Ganesha idol of 9th Century AD welcomes you into the spacious centre. You can find a rare makara torana of the Kalyana Chalukya period right after the idol. It is 3.3 m long and 1.7 m high and originally adorned free-standing pillars in a temple. Exquisite carvings on both the pillars make it the talking point of the entire collection.
Bhagavata stories like Kalinga mardana Krishna and Krishna killing the demon Kesin, Putani and Aristha depicted on sandstone are also displayed here. Other depictions on the panel include demon Pralamba kidnapping Balarama and Krishna killing the elephant Kavalayapida. Some more depictions include Tripuranthaka Shiva with eight arms standing in a chariot, God Agni and a miniature model of Aihole Durga Temple.
The second gallery is a spacious hall that houses sculptures like a lion from 8 AD, Mahishasuramardini, Bhairava, Kali, Veerabhadra, Chamunda, Naga Dampathi, Shiva, Harihara and some hero stones. However, the prized artifact is Lajje Gowri or fertility goddess, who is worshipped in a great fashion in the Malaprabha valley. Originally, it was
installed in the Nageshwara Temple in Nagarala. The third gallery displays
pre-historic tools and evolution of the human being. The other exhibits are hand axes, clovers of paleolithic period and other stone implements found in and around the cave area. Many objects found during the structural conservation of Jain Temple at Pattadakal are also displayed.
Richness redefined
The last and fourth gallery has paintings of the rock cave temple dated 578 AD, idols of Keerthimukha, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajamukha and chauri-bearers. There is also a wall mounted with photographs, showcasing the structural conservation of Pattadakal Temple complex. Sketch of an ancient quarry with intricate details also attracts many eyes. Many inscriptions like those of Mahakuta, Jaya Stamba of 601 AD and the Badami cliff inscription are notable.
Outside the Museum is the famous Pallava Narasimhavarma's inscription on a natural boulder, engraved in pallave-grantha characters. On the corridors of the Museum, a good number of sculptures are displayed like the life-sized four-handed Shiva dwarapalas.
There are many veeragallus and Sati-stones, Vishnu with his consort and flying gandharvas spread across the arena. A pair of nandis, ganas and composite animals are displayed in open air. The images of Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Malaprabha valley taken from satellite are also displayed for the tourists.
The Sidlaphadi Rock Bridge is a natural formation of rock found about 5 km from the Museum. The natural rock arch was born as a result of lightning and is also considered as a pre-historic shelter for the early humans.
This ASI Museum has an educative collection of artifacts belonging to the pre-historic sites seen in and around Badami,. Do visit it to gain an insight into the life of our ancestors. The Museum is open from Saturday to Thursday, from 10 am to 5 pm.