Mahakuta Group of Temples – Another Chalukyan Legacy

Mahakuta group of temples are located at Mahakuta village, 15 kilometers from Badami in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The temples are dated to the 6th and 7th Century AD and where constructed by the early kings of the Chalukya dynasty of Badami. The temples share the common Chalukya style followed at Aihole temples. The most important temple is Mahakuteshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in the Dravidian style. It has a Shiv Linga in the shrine topped by a curvilinear tower. There are many other temples in the complex. There is natural spring fed tank inside the temple complex known as Vishnu Pushkarini. This is one of the major attractions in the temple complex and you can see many people taking a holy bath in this tank.

The Mallikarjuna Temple on the other side of the tank is very similar to that of the Mahakuteshwar temple but small in size. There are around two dozen small temples in the temple complex.

Mahakuta Temple Complex – Mahakuteshwar Temple

Mahakuta Temple Complex – Various small shrines inside the temple complex

Mahakuta Temple Complex – Carvings

The small Nandi shrine

One of the carvings on the temple walls

Inside the temple complex

Various Sculptures

Various Sculptures inside the complex

Various Sculptures inside the complex

Another view of the Temple complex – with scattered ruins

The Vishnu Pushkarini inside the temple complex

The small shrine inside the tank with Shiv Linga

Various temples inside the complex

One of the small shrines inside the complex

Inside the temple complex

Nandi inside the shrine

Another view from the temple complex

How to Rach:
Mahakuta is well connected by road to Badami. There are local transport available from Badami. There are regular Autos & Tum Tum plying between Badami and Mahakuta.