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Pilgrimage circuit · from Vijayapura or Hampi
Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole
The Chalukya dynasty's three great architectural sites sit within about 45 km of each other in North Karnataka: Badami's cave temples cut into red sandstone cliffs, Pattadakal's UNESCO World Heritage cluster of both North and South Indian temple styles side by side, and Aihole's Durga Temple complex, sometimes called the 'cradle of Indian temple architecture' for its experimental early forms. This circuit ties Badami's temple town to its lesser-known neighbours for the fuller architectural story across all three sites.
Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0
2 days · 1 night, from Vijayapura or Hampi, from ₹2,800 per person. Best time: October to February for comfortable sightseeing among the exposed sandstone monuments.. Suits: Family, Solo, Couple, Group.
The route
| Stop | Leg | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Badami | Base. Bus from Hampi (5 h), Vijayapura (3 h) or Hubballi (2 h) | ₹250 |
| Badami Cave Temples & fort | Central; walkable from most lodges | ₹30 |
| Pattadakal | 22 km from Badami, bus or taxi | ₹40 |
| Aihole | 14 km further from Pattadakal | ₹30 |
| Return to Badami | Bus or taxi | ₹60 |
What to book ahead
| Booking | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A guide at Pattadakal | Worth it to understand the mix of Nagara (North Indian) and Dravida (South Indian) temple styles built side by side. |
| Badami hotel | The obvious base; book ahead in peak winter weekends. |
| Nothing else needs advance booking | All three sites are day visits with tickets on arrival. |
Where to stay
Badami has the most accommodation choice and is the natural base for all three sites, each a short drive away.
Food
North Karnataka thali — jowar roti and spicy curries — is the local standard in Badami town.
Local tip: See Aihole and Pattadakal on the same day if possible, since they're only 14 km apart, and give Badami's own caves a separate half-day for the light on the sandstone.
Plan your own Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole trip
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Open the planner →Costs are indicative ballparks and change with season and demand — always check live fares before you book, and confirm temple booking windows against the official source. Photographs are sourced from Wikimedia Commons, credited above and in full at /credits/. Trip Under features underrated destinations only, is reader-planned, and takes no affiliate commission on any booking link. Pilgrimage bookings are never affiliate links.