Temple Description

Pattadakal, meaning “Stone of Coronation,” was considered a sacred site where the Malaprabha River flows north towards the Himalayas and Mount Kailash (uttara-vahini). As its name suggests, it served as a venue for coronation ceremonies during the Chalukya dynasty, including that of Vinayaditya in the 7th century CE. The area was also known by other names, such as Kisuvolal, meaning “valley of red soil,” Raktapura, meaning “city of red,” and Pattada-Kisuvolal, referring to “red soil valley for coronation.” The Archaeological Survey of India notes that Pattadakal is mentioned in Srivijaya texts and is identified as “Petirgal” by Ptolemy in his Geography.

Initially, the Chalukyan rulers of the 5th and 6th centuries followed Vaishnavism, worshiping Lord Vishnu, but later transitioned to Shaivism, focusing on Lord Shiva. Consequently, the temples in and around Pattadakal are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Pattadakal, along with nearby Aihole and Badami, became a major cultural and religious hub, known for its architectural innovations and experimentation. The Gupta Empire’s rule in the 5th century fostered a period of political stability, making Aihole a center of scholarship. Architectural experimentation spread to Badami over the following two centuries, and by the 7th century, Pattadakal became a key site where northern and southern Indian architectural styles merged. This period saw the construction of many significant temples in the Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal region by the Chalukyan Empire.

Following the Chalukyan Empire’s decline, the Rashtrakuta kingdom took control of the region, ruling until the 10th century. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the Late Chalukyas (Western Chalukya Empire, Chalukyas of Kalyani), an offshoot of the Early Chalukyan Empire, governed the area. Despite not being a major capital or closely situated to one, the Pattadakal region saw the construction of numerous Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist temples and monasteries during this time. Historian George Michell attributes this to the area’s significant population and growing wealth.