HERITAGE · BAGALKOT DISTRICT · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Badami Cave Temples Guide: The Four Caves, Tickets, Timings and a One-Day Plan
Badami’s four cave temples were cut into red sandstone in the sixth century by the Early Chalukyas, and Cave 3 carries a dated inscription of 578 CE. This guide takes you through each cave, the Bhutanatha temples on Agastya Lake, the fort hill and museum, with ticket prices, timings, how to reach Badami and what a day there costs.
The short answer
Badami's four cave temples are open about 9 am to 5:30 pm, the ASI ticket is Rs 25 for Indians and Rs 300 for foreign visitors, and you need two to three hours for the caves plus another two for the lake, Bhutanatha temples, museum and fort. Start at opening time, because the sandstone is hot by noon and the monkeys are most active in the afternoon.
Badami sits in a gorge between two sandstone hills, with the Agastya Lake in the middle and the town on its southern side. It was Vatapi, the capital of the Badami Chalukyas, who ruled from here between about 543 and 753 CE. Their rule produced the earliest datable rock-cut temples in the Deccan, and the same dynasty built the temples at Aihole and Pattadakal, which are covered together in our Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal guide. This page goes deeper on Badami itself.
The town is small, so one night here works better than a rushed day trip. The Bagalkot district context is in the Bagalkot guide, and for the wider UNESCO picture see UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Karnataka.
History in brief
The earliest inscription at Badami dates to 544 CE and concerns the fortification of the hill, which shows the site was chosen for defence. Pulakeshin I founded the dynasty in the middle of the sixth century, and his son Kirtivarman I and then Mangalesha beautified the city and completed the cave temples. Pulakeshin II, who ruled from 610 to 642 CE, was the dynasty’s greatest king; he fought Harshavardhana and defeated the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. Puranic tradition links the name Vatapi to a demon killed by the sage Agastya at this spot, which is why the lake is named after him.
Cave 3 is the only one with a firm date. An Old Kannada inscription records that Mangalesha dedicated the shrine in Saka 500, which is 578 CE. The other caves are placed relative to it by style, and the whole group belongs to the late sixth and seventh centuries.
The four caves, one by one
| Cave | Dedication | What to look for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave 1 | Shiva | Eighteen-armed Nataraja about 1.5 m tall, Ganesha, Ardhanarishvara, Harihara, dwarf ganas on the stair | Lowest cave, reached first |
| Cave 2 | Vishnu | Trivikrama, the largest relief, and Varaha lifting the earth; eight square pillars | 64 steps above Cave 1 |
| Cave 3 | Vishnu | Narasimha, Harihara, Vishnu on Sheshanaga, painted ceiling traces, the 578 CE inscription | Largest and finest; 60 steps above Cave 2 |
| Cave 4 | Jain | Mahavira, Parshvanatha and Bahubali, with 24 small Tirthankara images on pillars and walls | Smallest, about 10 ft below Cave 3 |
Climb in order, since each cave sits above the last. Cave 1 is entered through a verandah of five columns, and the eighteen-armed dancing Shiva is the image most visitors photograph. In Cave 2 the Trivikrama panel shows Vishnu striding across the universe, with Varaha on the opposite wall. Cave 3 is the one to spend time in: its verandah is about 21 m long, six pillars carry the roof, and the carved brackets, the Narasimha panel and the traces of early painting on the ceiling are the best preserved in the group. Cave 4 is a simple Jain hall, and some embellishment continued as late as the eleventh or twelfth century.
A fifth, badly damaged cave holds a seated figure whose identity is debated, because it carries Vaishnava symbols and has no ushnisha. It is small, and most visitors skip it.
A guide costs about Rs 200 to 300 and helps with the iconography, but you can see the caves without one. The Jain and Shaiva traditions here sit a few metres apart, which is part of why the caves reward a slow visit. Keep the flash off inside; photography is otherwise allowed.
Agastya Lake, Bhutanatha temples and the museum
Across the town from the caves, the Agastya Lake is the heart of Badami. The Bhutanatha group stands on its east bank: the sanctum and tower date to the seventh century, and the hall and entrance verandah were added in the eleventh by the Kalyani Chalukyas. The main temple is dedicated to Shiva, with carved doorframes showing Ganga on a makara and Yamuna on a tortoise. It is free to enter and is open from 6 am to 7 pm, which makes it the best place to be at sunrise or sunset. The nearby Mallikarjuna group opens 5:30 am to 1 pm and 3 to 7 pm.
On the cliff above the lake the Kappe Arabhatta inscription honours an eighth-century warrior and carries the oldest known Kannada poem in tripadi metre. The Archaeological Museum, a short walk away, holds sculptures from Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal. It costs Rs 5, children up to 15 are free, photography is not allowed, and it is open 9 am to 5 pm and closed on Fridays.
The fort hill and Malegitti Shivalaya
The two hills are crowned by fortifications. The north fort, reached by a stepped climb, has the Upper and Lower Shivalaya temples, the Cannon Point and wide views of the lake, the caves and the town. The fort is attributed to later rulers, and the ruins sit on a cliff near the Bhutanatha temples. The climb is about a kilometre from the caves and takes 45 minutes to an hour with the view stops. Wear sturdy shoes and carry water.
The Malegitti Shivalaya, on the south hill, is regarded as the oldest Dravida-style temple of the Early Chalukyas. It is free and open from 6 am to 6 pm. The Lower Shivalaya sanctuary on the north hill is closed on Fridays. Our forts in Karnataka guide places Badami among the state’s other hill forts.
Tickets, timings and costs
| Item | Cost | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Cave temples (ASI) | Rs 25 Indians; Rs 300 other nationals; children up to 15 free | About 9 am to 5:30 pm daily |
| Video camera, caves | Rs 25 | Same |
| Parking at the caves | Rs 40 | Same |
| Archaeological Museum | Rs 5; children up to 15 free | 9 am to 5 pm, closed Fridays |
| Bhutanatha temples | Free | 6 am to 7 pm |
| Mallikarjuna group | Free | 5:30 am to 1 pm, 3 to 7 pm |
| Malegitti Shivalaya | Free | 6 am to 6 pm |
| Banashankari temple | Free | 7 am to 7 pm |
| Guide at the caves | Rs 200 to 300 | On request |
The Archaeological Survey of India lists its ticketed monuments on asi.nic.in, and the Bagalkot district administration describes the caves on its Badami caves page. Online tickets cost slightly less than counter tickets.
Mahakuta, Banashankari and other stops
| Place | Distance from Badami | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Banashankari temple | About 5 km | Seventh-century Chalukya temple known for its annual car festival |
| Mahakuta temples | About 14 km | Early Chalukya cluster around a spring-fed pond |
| Pattadakal | About 22 km | UNESCO temple group on the Malaprabha |
| Aihole | About 35 km | Over a hundred early temples among fields |
| Hampi | About 140 km | See the Hampi 2-day itinerary |
Hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi for the Pattadakal and Aihole day, since buses are slow and infrequent. If you are coming from the south, a combined route is described in the 5-day Karnataka itinerary, and Hampi costs are in the Hampi trip cost guide.
How to reach Badami
| From | Distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Hubballi | About 100 km, 2 to 3 hours | Nearest major airport and rail hub; road via Gadag |
| Bagalkot | About 35 km | Larger railhead; frequent buses |
| Vijayapura | About 120 km | Road; see the Gol Gumbaz guide |
| Belagavi | About 142 km | Airport and road |
| Hampi | About 140 km | No direct bus; change at Hospet and Gadag, or take a taxi |
| Bengaluru | Roughly 450 to 500 km, 8 to 10 hours | Overnight bus to Bagalkot, then onward; or Basava Express to Bagalkot |
Badami has a railway station about 4 to 5 km from the town, with local trains on the Hubballi to Bagalkot line. Private sleeper buses leave Bengaluru’s Majestic area between about 8 and 11 pm and take around 10 hours, with a change at Bagalkot for Badami. There is no airport at Badami itself. Stay near the lake or on the road to the caves; Hotel Rajsangam International is one of the established choices.
Best time and a one-day plan
| Months | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| October to February | 16 to 27 degrees | Best season; Banashankari festival falls in the winter |
| March to June | Up to 37 degrees by day | Go early; the caves are shaded but the climbs are exposed |
| July to September | Green and humid | Light rain; good for lake walks |
A day that works: caves at opening time (9 am to noon), lunch in town, the museum and Bhutanatha temples in the early afternoon, then the north fort or the lake steps at sunset. If you have a second day, add Mahakuta, Pattadakal and Aihole. For other seasons see best time to visit Karnataka and Karnataka in winter.
Our own estimate for one day for two people: tickets Rs 50 to 100, a guide Rs 200 to 300, meals Rs 500 to 800, an auto for the lake and temples Rs 300 to 500, and a room at Rs 1,000 to 2,500. For later temple architecture see the Hoysala temples guide, and for pilgrimage sites see famous temples in Karnataka.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving after midday. The steps and the rock are hot, and the light is flat.
- Carrying open food. Monkeys near the caves grab bags; keep food closed and do not feed them.
- Assuming the caves are free. They are ticketed; the lake temples are not.
- Planning the museum on a Friday. It is closed.
- Counting on a bus to Pattadakal and Aihole. Hire a vehicle.
- Skipping Cave 3. It is the largest and the only dated cave.
Badami caves FAQ
What is the entry fee for the Badami caves?
The ASI ticket is Rs 25 for Indian visitors and Rs 300 for other nationals. Children up to 15 enter free, a video camera costs Rs 25 and parking is Rs 40.
What are the Badami cave temple timings?
The caves are open about 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. The Bhutanatha temples open 6 am to 7 pm, and the museum is open 9 am to 5 pm except Fridays.
How many caves are there at Badami?
Four. Caves 1 and 2 are Shaiva and Vaishnava, Cave 3 is Vaishnava with Shaiva elements, and Cave 4 is Jain.
Which Badami cave has the inscription?
Cave 3. An Old Kannada inscription records its dedication by Mangalesha in 578 CE.
How much time do I need at Badami?
Two to three hours for the caves and another two for the lake, Bhutanatha temples, museum and fort. A full day is comfortable.
How far is Badami from Hampi and Pattadakal?
About 140 km from Hampi and about 22 km from Pattadakal, with Aihole about 35 km away.
Is there an airport at Badami?
No. The nearest major airport is Hubballi, about 100 km away, followed by Belagavi.
What is the best time to visit Badami?
October to February, when temperatures are between 16 and 27 degrees. Summer days reach about 37 degrees.
Is photography allowed in the Badami caves?
Yes, but keep the flash off. A video camera costs Rs 25 on top of the ticket.