KarnatakaTimings 2026Free Entry

Badami cave temples: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

By Kishan Rajyaguru|Updated 18 October 2026

Location Karnataka

Entry Fee Free

Best Time October to February

Railway Station ~4 km

Nearest Airport ~89 km

About Badami cave temples

The Badami cave temples are a complex of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples located in Badami, a town in the Bagalkot district in northern part of Karnataka, India. The caves are important examples of Indian rock-cut architecture, especially Badami Chalukya architecture, and the earliest date from the 6th century. Badami is a modern name and was previously known as "Vataapi", the capital of the early Chalukya dynasty, which ruled much of Karnataka from the 6th to the 8th century. Badami is situated on the west bank of a man-made lake ringed by an earthen wall with stone steps; it is surrounded on the north and south by forts built during Early Chalukya and in later times.

The Badami cave temples represent some of the earliest known examples of Hindu temples in the Deccan region. They along with the temples in Aihole transformed the Mallaprabha River valley into a cradle of temple architecture that influenced the components of later Hindu temples elsewhere in India.

The 4 caves are all in the escarpment of the hill in soft Badami sandstone formation, to the south-east of the town. In Cave 1, among various sculptures of Hindu divinities and themes, a prominent carving is of the dancing Shiva as Nataraja. Cave 2 is mostly similar to Cave 1 in terms of its layout and dimensions, featuring Hindu subjects of which the Hari Hara, Ardhanari shiva, Mahishamardini, Dwi Bahu Ganesha and Skanda in a separate antichamber on extended cave at western side-next to great Nataraja sculpture. Cave 2 has premier images of relief of Vishnu as Trivikrama is the largest. The largest cave is Cave 3, featuring Vishnu as Ananta seated on coiled serpent, Varaha with Bhudevi, Harihara, Narasimha in standing posture, great image of Trivikrama and Virata Vishnu. The cave has fine carvings exhibiting matured stage of Karnataka ancient art. Cave 4 is dedicated to revered figures of Jainism. Around the lake, Badami has additional caves of which one may be a Buddhist cave. Another Cave like gallery known as Arali Tirtha has around twenty seven carvings.

Badami cave temples: Key Facts

TempleBadami cave temples
LocationKarnataka
StateKarnataka
Entry FeeFree (general darshan)
Best Time to VisitOctober to February
Nearest Railway StationYara Goppa Halt railway station, ~4 km
Nearest AirportHubballi (HBX), ~89 km
GPS15.91833, 75.68500

Badami cave temples Timings 2026

Badami cave temples is open every day, usually from early morning to late evening with a break in the afternoon. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festival days.

MorningOpens early morning (around 5 to 6 AM)
AfternoonShort break around midday at many temples
EveningEvening aarti around sunset, closes by about 8 to 9 PM

Ask the temple office on arrival for the day's aarti schedule.

Dress Code & Temple Rules

DressModest, traditional clothes covering shoulders and knees
FootwearRemove before entering; use the shoe stand
PhotographyNot allowed inside the sanctum
Not AllowedLeather items, tobacco, alcohol, non-veg food
QueueFollow queue lines and staff instructions on festival days

How to Reach Badami cave temples

LocationKarnataka
By AirHubballi (HBX), about 89 km
By AirBelagavi (IXG), about 114 km
By TrainYara Goppa Halt railway station, about 4 km
Major StationShree Siddharoodha Swamiji - Hubballi Junction railway station, about 85 km
By RoadTaxis, autos and state buses from the railway station and nearby cities

Distance from Nearby Cities

From	Road Distance (approx.)	Travel Time (approx.)
Hubballi	116 km	3 hr
Belagavi	149 km	3 hr
Kolhapur	222 km	5 hr
Kalaburagi	267 km	6 hr
Goa	270 km	6 hr

Best Time to Visit

October to February. The weather is cooler and drier. April–May is very hot, and the monsoon brings heavy rain to the coast. Weekday mornings are the least crowded; expect long queues on weekends, holidays and festivals.

Open in Google Maps

History of Badami cave temples

The cave temples, numbered 1 to 4 in the order of their creation, in the town of Badami – the capital city of the Chalukya kingdom (also known as Early Chalukyas) – are dated from the late 6th century onwards. The exact dating is known only for Cave 3, which is a temple dedicated to Vishnu. An inscription found here records the dedication of the shrine by Mangalesha in Saka 500 (solar calendar, 578/579 CE). The inscription, written in the old Kannada language, has enabled the dating of these rock cave temples to the 6th century. This makes the cave the oldest firmly-dated Hindu cave temple in India.

The Badami Caves complex is part of a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site candidate under the title "Evolution of Temple Architecture – Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal" in the Malaprabha river valley, considered a cradle of temple architecture that formed the model for later Hindu temples in the region. The artwork in Caves 1 and 2 exhibit the northern Deccan style of the 6th and 7th centuries, while those in Cave 3 simultaneously represent two ancient Indian artistic traditions; the northern Nagara and the southern Dravida styles. Cave 3 also shows icons and reliefs in the so-called Vesara style, a fusion of ideas from the two styles, as well as some of the earliest surviving historical examples in Karnataka of yantra-chakra motifs (geometric symbolism) and colored fresco paintings. The first three caves feature sculptures of Hindu icons and legends focusing on Shiva and Vishnu, while Cave 4 features Jain icons and themes.

Next to Badami caves Main complex, near Shri Gudde Ranganathaswami Temple, Prehistoric Rock Paintings in Ochre can be seen. They are also called Hiregudda Rock Paintings based on the name of these Hills. Drawings consist of Human figurines which are very tall, animals like Wild Boar, Bulls, rabits etc. along with figures of warriors, unidentified humanoids etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Badami cave temples located?

Badami cave temples is in Karnataka, India. GPS location: 15.9183, 75.6850.

What are the timings of Badami cave temples?

Badami cave temples is open daily from early morning to evening, usually with an afternoon break. Timings change on festivals, so confirm with the temple office before you go.

Is there an entry fee at Badami cave temples?

General darshan is free. Special pujas, sevas or quick darshan may have a separate fee set by the temple.

What is the best time to visit Badami cave temples?

October to February. The weather is cooler and drier. April–May is very hot, and the monsoon brings heavy rain to the coast.

Which is the nearest railway station to Badami cave temples?

Yara Goppa Halt railway station is the nearest railway station, about 4 km away. The nearest major station is Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji - Hubballi Junction railway station, about 85 km away.

How far is Badami cave temples from Hubballi?

Badami cave temples is about 116 km by road from Hubballi (approx.).

Which is the nearest airport to Badami cave temples?

Hubballi (HBX) is the nearest major airport, about 89 km away in a straight line. Belagavi (IXG) is the next option.

What is the dress code at Badami cave temples?

Wear modest, traditional clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Remove footwear before entering. Shorts and sleeveless tops are best avoided.

Is photography allowed inside Badami cave temples?

Photography is usually not allowed inside the sanctum. Outer areas may allow photos; follow the signs and staff instructions.

Which other temples are near Badami cave temples?

Bhutanatha group of temples, Badami, Banashankari Amma Temple, Mahakuta group of temples, Lad Khan Temple are close by and can be covered on the same trip.