Karnataka · Cave temples · Heritage
Badami
Badami, once the Chalukya capital, is known for rock-cut cave temples carved into sandstone cliffs above Agastya Lake. It is about 540 km from Mysuru, about 9.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. October to February is pleasant in Badami, about 15-30°C, and suits climbing up to the caves and the fort.
Why travellers go
It is the base for the Chalukyan temples of Aihole and Pattadakal, the latter a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Suggested time
- 1–2 days
- State
- Karnataka
- Good for
- Cave temples, Heritage
Best-known sights in Badami
- Badami cave temples: Four rock-cut cave temples from the late 6th century, carved into red sandstone cliffs above Agastya Lake. Cave 1 is dedicated to Shiva, Caves 2 and 3 to Vishnu, and Cave 4 is Jain. Cave 3 carries an inscription dated 578 CE. Karnataka Tourism lists the caves as open 6 am to 6 pm, all days. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
- Agastya Lake: A man-made lake from the 7th century, below the caves, lined with stone steps and temples.
- Bhutanatha temples: Sandstone shrines on the edge of Agastya Lake, built between about the 7th and 11th centuries.
- Badami Fort and the Shivalaya temples: The hilltop fort holds old granaries, a treasury and temples, including the Lower and Upper Shivalaya; the climb starts beside the museum. The cave ticket covers the climb to the fort.
- Malegitti Shivalaya: An early Chalukya temple set on a flat rock, with wide views over the town.
- Archaeological Museum: A small museum of sculptures from the Badami area, at the foot of the north fort. Closed on Fridays.
- Banashankari Temple: A temple about 5 km from Badami, known for its festival in January-February.
- Pattadakal: A group of 8th-century Chalukyan temples on the Malaprabha river, about 21-23 km from Badami, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
- Aihole: A village about 35 km from Badami with more than 125 temples, often called a cradle of Indian temple architecture. Allow half a day, as the temples are spread across the village.
- Mahakuta: A quieter group of temples around a natural spring and tank, about 14 km from Badami.
How many days do you need in Badami?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Badami cave temples
- Agastya Lake and the Bhutanatha temples
- Archaeological Museum
- Climb to the Shivalaya temples on the north fort
Two days
- Day 1: Badami cave temples, Agastya Lake and the Bhutanatha temples, Archaeological Museum, Climb to the Shivalaya temples on the north fort
- Day 2: Pattadakal temples, Aihole temples
Three days
- Day 1: Badami cave temples, Agastya Lake and the Bhutanatha temples, Archaeological Museum, Climb to the Shivalaya temples on the north fort
- Day 2: Pattadakal temples, Aihole temples
- Day 3: Banashankari Temple, Mahakuta temples, Malegitti Shivalaya
How to reach Badami from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 590 km via Bengaluru, about 10 to 11 hours: about 140 km on NH 275 to Bengaluru, then about 450 km to Badami.
- By train
- The daily Basava Express runs from Mysuru via Bengaluru to Bagalkot, about 30 km from Badami. Badami has its own station, about 5 km from the town, on the Hubballi-Solapur line.
- By bus
- No direct Mysuru bus found. KSRTC runs overnight buses from Majestic bus stand, Bengaluru, to Badami.
- By air
- Hubballi Airport is about 105 km from Badami, about 2 hours by taxi. Belagavi Airport is the other option. Mysuru Airport has no flights to either.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- About 450 km, about 7 to 8 hours (Karnataka Tourism). The classic route is NH 48 towards Hubballi, then on to Badami.
- By train
- Badami station has direct overnight trains to Bengaluru, about 10 to 11 hours. The Basava Express from Bengaluru also reaches Bagalkot, about 30 km away.
- By bus
- KSRTC runs overnight buses from Majestic bus stand, Bengaluru, to Badami. NWKRTC buses link Badami with Hubballi, Gadag, Vijayapura and Hosapete.
- By air
- Fly from Bengaluru to Hubballi, then about 105 km by road.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Badami
October to February is pleasant in Badami, about 15-30°C, and suits climbing up to the caves and the fort. March to May is very hot, often above 40°C at midday. June to September brings light monsoon rain; the caves stay open, but paths can be slippery.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Cool and dry, about 15-29°C The Banashankari temple festival falls in January-February. |
| Feb | Dry and warming, about 16-32°C |
| Mar | Hot and dry, about 20-35°C The Virupaksha temple car festival at Pattadakal is in March. |
| Apr | Very hot, about 23-37°C Start sightseeing by 7 am and finish by 11 am. |
| May | Hottest month, some thunder showers, about 23-38°C |
| Jun | Monsoon arrives, about 22-32°C Average rain about 110 mm (IMD normals, Bagalkote). |
| Jul | Light monsoon rain, about 22-30°C |
| Aug | Light monsoon rain, about 21-29°C Steps and rock paths can be slippery. |
| Sep | Showers, about 21-30°C Average rain about 110 mm. |
| Oct | Late showers, about 21-30°C Average rain about 115 mm, one of the wetter months. |
| Nov | Dry and pleasant, about 18-29°C |
| Dec | Cool and dry, about 15-29°C |
Tips for visiting Badami
- From March to May, start by 7 am and finish outdoor sightseeing by 11 am to avoid the worst heat.
- Monkeys and langurs are common around the caves and can be bold; keep food and bags closed.
- The caves and the fort involve many steps, so wear good shoes and carry water.
- Auto-rickshaws at the bus and railway stations can be hired for a day covering the caves, museum, Pattadakal and Aihole. Agree on the fare first.
- Early morning or evening light is good for photos at the caves.
Photos
Travel Trendzz packages that include Badami
Prices are given on request; the team sends a quote for your dates and group.
Questions about Badami
When is a good time to visit Badami?
October to February is a good time to visit Badami, with temperatures of about 15-30°C. March to May is very hot, often above 40°C, so start early if you go then. June to September brings light monsoon rain; the caves stay open, but steps can be slippery.
How far is Badami from Mysuru and Bengaluru?
Badami is about 450 km from Bengaluru, about 7 to 8 hours by road. From Mysuru it is about 590 km via Bengaluru. There is also a daily Basava Express from Mysuru and Bengaluru to Bagalkot, about 30 km away, and overnight trains reach Badami station from Bengaluru.
How many days are enough for Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole?
Two days are enough for most families. Spend the first day on the caves, Agastya Lake, the museum and the fort climb. On the second day visit Pattadakal, about 23 km away, and Aihole, about 35 km away. A third day lets you add Banashankari and Mahakuta.
Is Badami good for families with children and elders?
Yes, but plan for steps. The caves are linked by stone stairs, and the fort climb is steeper, so elders may prefer the caves and the lake temples only. Go early in the day, carry water, and keep snacks away from the monkeys near the caves.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Badami?
Yes. Badami Hampi Heritage Getaway (3 Nights / 4 Days) are published Travel Trendzz packages.
Places near Badami
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Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.
Plan your Badami trip
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