History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Bhootnath Temple, Badami, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India
Bhootnatha Temple is the group of temples located to the east of Agastya Lake and near popular Badami Caves in the town Badami of Bagalkot district of Karnataka. These temples are dedicated to the deity of Lord Shiva, here worshipped as Bhootnatha the lord of Soul. It is believed that Main Bhootnatha Temple was built in the 8th Century. The temple is built in southern Indian style Dravidian architecture. The temple from bottom to top is in the square shape. Inside the temple there is a garbhagudi, where the Shiva Linga is present. There is also a Shobha Mantapa. The walls and the pillars have the various carvings images of the scenes of Mahabharata and Ramayana. The temple is near the bank of the Lake. The idols like Nandi, Linga, Narasimha Avatar, Hiranya Kashyap are also carved on the walls of the temple. The temple is made up of sandstones. The temple was built during the reign of the Chalukyas of Vatapi, as Badami was known then. The other called the North Bhutanatha group or Mallikarjuna group was built from 11th to 12th-century in the Nagara architecture. The style is the combination of North Indian and early South Indian architecture. The inner temple resembles the Eastern Badami Chalukyas while the outer hall resembles the style of Kalyani Chalukyas. The temple has the main four pillars which have the carvings of the Lotus in it. The temples have undergone repairs many times. The door frame has the carvings of the goddess Ganga and Yamuna. The Goddess Ganga is riding on the Crocodile while Yamuna is riding on the Tortoise.
How to Reach Bhootnath Group of Temple, Badami, Historical and Religious Site, near Aihole and Pattadakal, Karnataka, India
Bhootnath Group of Temple is located near Agatsya Lake and famous Badami Caves Temple in Badami. As Badami is one of the important historical and religious site and taluka near Aihole and Pattadakal in Bagalkot district in state of Karnataka and home to several ancient temple. Thus, it is easily accessible via road, rail and air network. Badami has major railway station from where you can get train to all major station of India. You can get government and private vehicle from nearby cities to reach here by road. The nearest airport from Aihole are Hubli Airport at 105 km and Belgaum Airport at 177 km. There are regular flights to Belgaum from all major cities in the country. Badami is located at just 35 km from Aihole, 22 km from Pattadakal, 34 km from Bagalkot and 140 km from Hampi.
