The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c11.s1.1

c11.s1.1

PATTADAKAL, or, as it was known in olden times, Paṭṭada Kisuvoḷal, is now an insignificant little village tucked away in rather an out-of-the-way corner of the Bādāmi district, though in a straight line, not more than ten miles east of that place.¹ The rugged sandstone hills between make it difficult of access, and, consequently it is very seldom visited. It lies in a bend of the Malaprabhā river, which flows on thence past Aihoḷe to join the Kṛishṇā. When approaching the village one is struck by the many old temple towers which rise above the roofs of the mud-walled houses. There can be little doubt that this was an important religious centre in the days of the early Chālukyas. There are old shrines here in both the Dravidian and the northern styles. Among the former are the three largest and the most interesting, since their inscriptions leave us in no doubt as to their origin.