Perched atop Badami’s northern hill, the 7th-century Upper Shivalaya Temple commands views over Karnataka’s red sandstone ravine. Despite its name that means "Shiva's temple", this was originally a Vaishnava shrine, dedicated to Vishnu. It embodies early Dravida architecture, a testament to the Chalukya dynasty’s innovative spirit. The temple was completed during Pulakeshi II’s reign.
Its sandhara plan features a garbhagriha embedded in a mantapa, with circular windows and an additional storey above, unique for its time. Friezes depicting Krishna’s legends, including Govardhana and Narasimha, adorn the walls, showcasing intricate Chalukya artistry. This temple was damaged after the 13th century, then abandoned. During the British Raj, it was rededicated as a Shiva temple.
Though time has worn its edges, the temple’s elevated perch and surviving sculptures evoke a vibrant past. It stands amid forts, a sentinel of Badami’s strategic and spiritual legacy.
For students, historians, and global explorers, Upper Shivalaya offers a window into India’s architectural evolution, blending myth, art, and heritage in stone.
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