Hampi and Badami Heritage Circuit

Early Chalukya temples on the lake edge, with red cliffs behind. The light is best in the last hour before sunset, around 6:00 PM in December.

Four caves cut into red sandstone, for Shiva, Vishnu and the Jain faith. Cave 3 has the large Vishnu carvings. There are many steps, so wear grip shoes. Keep food away from the monkeys.

A group of early temples around a spring fed pond, on the road to Pattadakal. Quiet and peaceful.

A UNESCO World Heritage site beside the Malaprabha river, where northern and southern temple styles stand side by side. The Virupaksha temple is the largest.

The old Chalukya temple town, where temple building was tried out. See the Durga temple and the Lad Khan temple, and the small museum if time allows.

A busy temple of the goddess Banashankari, about 5 km from Badami, beside a large old water tank. Cover your shoulders and knees.

A 6.7 metre Narasimha carved from one boulder, a huge Shiva linga standing in water, and two monolith Ganeshas on the slope of Hemakuta.

Walk the old market street, then climb the gentle sheet rock of Hemakuta to watch the sun set over temples and boulders.

A living temple, worshipped for over a thousand years. Leave shoes outside, small camera fee at the gate.

Cars stop at the parking area. A short battery car ride takes you to the temple. The stone chariot is on the Rs 50 note. Your guide shows you the musical pillars, which can no longer be tapped.

A tall stone frame where kings were weighed against gold and grain, given to temples.

Sculptures and a large floor model of the whole site, which helps everything fall into place. Closed on Fridays, then we skip it.

A royal bathhouse, then the great stone platform where the Dasara festival was watched, and the stepped tank beside it.

Its walls tell the Ramayana in carved panels, with parades of horses, elephants and dancers.

Inside the Zenana enclosure. Your Vittala ticket from the morning covers it, same day only.

A slow spin in a round bamboo boat between the boulders. Life jackets given. If the river is high the boatmen shift to Sanapur lake, and in a flood it may be shut.

Seven rings of stone walls on a rocky hill, and the story of Onake Obavva, who defended the fort with a pestle. Wear shoes with grip, the rocks are smooth.