India has 38 World Heritage sites that include 30 cultural, 7 Natural, and 1 Mixed site. Karnataka has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are popular destinations and major tourist attractions- Hampi and Pattakadal.

Group of monuments in Pattadakal

The Group of monuments in Pattadakal designated under UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1987, cover a remarkable series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary in northern Karnataka. In this group of temples, the Virupaksha Temple, built c. 740 by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband’s (King Vikramaditya II) victory over the Pallava kings from the south, is considered the most outstanding architectural edifice. These are a remarkable combination of temples built by the Chalukya Dynasty in the 6th to 8th century at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal, the latter city was known as the “Crown Rubies“. The temples represent a remarkable fusion of the architectural features of northern (Nagara) and southern (dravida) India. Pattadakal is considered a Hindu holy city and within the heritage complex are eight temples dedicated to Shiva, a ninth shaivite sanctuary called the Papanatha Temple, and a Jain Narayana temple

Pattadakal

• Situated by the banks of the Malaprabha River.
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this South Indian tourist attraction is known for its group of beautiful temples built during the Chalukyan era and neighbouring archaeological sites such as Bachinagudda.
• Pattadakal is home to both Hindu and Jain temples, which were built during the 7th and 8th Centuries and feature the Dravidian (South Indian) as well as Nagara (North Indian) styles of architecture.

Virupaksha Temple

• The largest in the complex, the Virupaksha Temple is also known as Lokeshvara and is famous for the magnificent stone statue of a black bull (Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vahana).
• Queen Lokamahadevi had this beautiful temple built in 740 CE to celebrate Vikramaditya II’s (her husband) victory over the Pallavas of Kanchi. Decorated with sculptures and carvings, the temple has around 18 exquisitely carved pillars, each depicting scenes from the Puranas.
• The massive black Nandi is the most famed feature of the Virupaksha Temple

Papanatha Temple

• This temple in Pattadakal is a beautiful blend of two different architectural styles – Nagara (the initial style of construction) and Dravidian (which was incorporated later).
• The sculptures at the Papanatha Temple display scenes from two major Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana, which makes them worth a second look.

Jain Narayana Temple

• Being the only Jain temple in Pattadakal, this holds a special significance among the many heritage monuments at this site.
• It was built in the 9th Century by the Rashtrakuta Kings in the Dravidian style and stands apart because of its stunning sculptures.

Aihole

• Aihole may be small in size, but this village scores high on its historic interest owing to its well-known temple complex.
• Once a capital for the Chalukya dynasty, it is home to more than 125 historic temples that date back to the 5th-8th Centuries. In fact, Aihole has also been named “the cradle of Hindu rock architecture”.

Durga Temple

• Most recognised among Aihole’s tourist sites, the Durga Temple (also known as the Fortress Temple) was built sometime in the late 7th-early 8th Centuries. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a temple dedicated to the Goddess Durga.
• The architecture is predominantly Dravida, which features intricate pillared corridor, similar to a Buddhist Chaitya.
• The striking Durga temple is one of the the most recognised sites in Aihole

Meguti Temple

• The Meguti Temple was constructed in 634 AD by Pulakesin II’s Minister and Commander Ravikeerti, making it the only heritage site in Aihole that can be dated properly.
• Although some renovation has been done to maintain this early Dravidian-style temple, you can clearly see the inscription on the exterior wall that highlights the structure’s construction date.

Lad Khan Temple

• This unique site gets its mixed-religion name from a Muslim prince, who used the structure as his abode.
• While the main shrine of this beautiful temple features a Shiva Lingam along with his bull (Nandi), 12 pillars with exquisite carvings add to the overall glory.

Badami

• Badami, also called as Vatapi is a historical place situated in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. Badami was the capital of mighty Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD who ruled Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra between 6th & 8th centuries.
• Badami is famous for cave temples, fortresses, fine carvings, wonderful architecture and breathtaking views. It is located in a valley at the foot of a red sandstone rock formation that surrounds Agastya Lake.
• Overlooking the sandstone cave temples, Badami fort and several temples are lined up on the shores of Agastya Lake. Three of the cave temples belong to Vedic faith, the fourth cave is a Jain temple dedicated to Tirtankara Adinatha.
• Out of the three Hindu temples, two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu while one is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The beautiful carvings, mural paintings and bracket figures depict Lord Vishnu and puranic characters in different forms along with various figures & scenes from Hindu mythology.
• Chalukyas were feudators under Kadambas of Banavasi. The Chalukyan kingdom was established in 540 AD by Pulakeshi I and it was survived for more than two centuries. Chalukyas rule was marked as important mile stone in the history of South India and a golden age for Karnataka.
• Badami is famous for several early inscriptions dating back to 6th century. The earlier of the inscriptions is in Sanskrit dates back to 543 CE, the period of Pulakeshi I or Vallabheswara.
• The second inscription is found on a rock, which testifies Mamalla Pallava’s victory over the Chalukyas in the year 642 AD. In 7th century, Vatapi Ganapati idol was brought from Badami by Pallava who defeated Chalukyas
• Apart from history and architecture, the red sandstone hills surrounding the lake provide unique setting to the town of Badami

Group of Monuments at Hampi

The Group of Monuments at Hampi comprise a sombre but ostentatious Hampi town, on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in Karnataka. Hampi subsumes the ruins of Vijayanagara, which was the former capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire. Dravidian temples and palaces abound in Hampi. These won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries. Hampi, as an important Hindu & Jain religious centre, has the Virupaksha Temple (different from Pattadakal’s Virupaksha Temple) and several other monuments, which are part of UNESCO World Heritage List

• Hampi, also known as Pampa-kshetra, Kishkindha-kshetra or Bhaskara-kshetra, is derived from Pampa, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River.
• Hampi is an extremely significant place in terms of history and architecture. The first settlement in Hampi dates back to 1st century AD and a number of Buddhist sites belonging to that time have been found nearby. The seat of the Vijayanagara Empire was established by Saint Vidyaranya in 1336 AD with the help of two of his disciples, Hakka Raya and Bukka Raya. The kingdom flourished under the rule of Emperor Krishnadevaraya and stretched over the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and was an extremely important part of the Empire from 1343 to 1565. It maintained a huge army to protect it from other kingdoms. As a capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi grew as a trade center for cotton, spices, and gem stones. It was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during 15th and 16th centuries. After the death of Krishnadevaraya, the invading Deccan Sultanate forces destroyed Hampi and the rampage was continued for one year.
• Located close to Hospet, Also referred to as ‘The City of Ruins’, Hampi has everything from remnants of palaces to spectacular Hindu temples. Among the many structures,few are as follows.

Vittala Temple

• The naturally musical pillars are part of what makes the Vittala temple so famous. The 56 stone-carved ‘Saregama Pillars’ are known to emit soothing musical sounds when someone taps on them.
• This is also the temple which holds the life-size stone chariot, set in a massive open courtyard, making it one the most recognised images of Hampi’s rich history and artistic legacy.
• The famous musical pillars of Vittala Temple in Hampi have drawn in visitors from all over the world

Virupaksha Temple

• With a striking exterior façade, three entrance towers, and the 160-foot-tall tower at the entrance, the Virupaksha Temple is a treat for history and architecture lovers. Built in the 7th Century, the temple is among the oldest in Hampi and also the only functioning one, with the magnificent monument of Lord Shiva and Goddess Pampa Devi drawing in hundreds of devotees.

The Queen’s Bath

• Although a much-faded remnant of its original glory, the Queen’s Bath offers a glimpse into the private lifestyle of the royal ladies in ancient times. Constructed in the reign of the Vijayanagar Empire, this structure was designed to keep outsiders at bay, while the women bathed in the open-air pool.