Badami

History at a glance

1. 2nd century CE
   Ptolemy refers to Pattadakal as 'Petirgal' in his Geography; Srivijaya texts also mention it.
2. 5th-6th century
   The early Chalukya rulers are Vaishnavites, then convert to Shaivism — after which the temples of the region are dedicated to Shiva.
3. Last quarter of the 6th century
   The first phase of cave building: three elementary caves at Aihole, followed by four developed caves at Badami.
4. 578-579 CE
   An Old Kannada inscription is cut in Cave 3, dating it precisely — the oldest firmly dated Hindu cave temple in India. Karnataka Tourism credits Mangalesha with completing the main complex between 578 and 610.
5. c. 600 onward
   A second phase of temple building at Aihole and Badami. One source notes the exact dating is debated but there is consensus the constructions begin around 600.
6. 8th century
   The structural temples at Pattadakal are built, marking the culmination of Badami Chalukyan architecture. The Bhutanatha group at Badami belongs to this phase.
7. 1987
   The Group of Monuments at Pattadakal is inscribed by UNESCO, reference 239rev.
8. Current
   Aihole and Badami sit on UNESCO's tentative list, ref 5972, proposed as an extension to Pattadakal.

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