Group of

monuments at
Pattadakal inscribed
in the world heritage
list.

Nandini Priya
Thatikonda
1 Semester MAC

PATTADAKAL
GROUP OF MONUMENTS

Location
Pattadakal lies amidst the flat farmlands of Karnataka, about 150km north of Hampi.
The property inscribed as the world heritage site is about 5.56 ha in area and is
surrounded by a buffer of an area of 115ha.
It is located in the Bijapur Dirstict of Karnataka.

Introduction
Pattadakal is the site where Badami Chalukya kings were coroneted. It was the
capital of the Chalukya dynasty of Karnataka in southern India between the 6th and
8th centuries. The site represents the high point of an eclectic art which, achieved a
harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India.

Statement of Significance
Pattadakal (the seat of coronation of the Chalukyan Kings) in Karnataka represents
the high point of an electric art during the 7th-9th centuries AD under the Chalukya Rashtrakuta dynasties. The temple architecture here achieved a harmonious blend
of architectural forms of Southern Dravida Vimana and Northern Rekha - NagaraPrasada through a series of experimentation that commenced at Aihole, continued
at Badami and culminated at Pattadakal. The site has a Megalithic Dolmen, an
impressive series of nine Hindu temples, a Jain temple of the Rashtrakuta times and a
quarry site. The inscriptions containing the names of the artisans both at the quarry
and the temple sites are noteworthy. One masterpiece from the group excels- the
temple of Virupaksha, built in circa 740745 AD by Queen Lokamahadevi, to
commemorate her husband's victory over the Pallava Kings of the South India.
Key points:
Temple architecture here achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms
An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary.
A masterpiece from the group stands out the temple of Virupaksha, built in c. 740

Inscription
Date of Inscription: 1987

Criteria:
Criteria: (iii)
to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a
civilization which is living or which has disappeared
Criteria: (iv)
to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological
ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history

Values of authenticity and integrity

When the site was inscribed in the world heritage sites list the values and
authenticity/integrity maintained was accessed. There were no future proposals.

EVALUATION OF THE AUTHENTICITY / INTEGRITY OF THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF

INSCRIPTION
New Jalis are the proto types of the original in material and design , but there is a
marked difference in workmanship and details.
The landscape lawn concept is inappropriate considering the historical nature of
the setting.

Pressures on site
Development Pressures

pressures of the expanding settlements

vertically obstructing the visual connections of the two sites of

Papanatha and Virupaksha temples

vendors near the monument

Environmental Pressures

disfiguring the topography of the site

Natural Disorders and preparedness

Sand storms and sand laden winds - erosion of carved surfaces

Soil erosion

Monsoon
Tourism pressures

Lack of proper facilities drop off up to the buildings

Pollution from vehicles

Vandalism and damage to surfaces to toughing the stone

surfaces.

Papanath temple
The temple is built on a plinth of five mouldings, embellished with animal motifs, floral
designs and kudus.
The wall surfaces are relieved with niches (devakoshthas) housing Saiva and
Vaishnava deities and depicting episodes from the Ramayana. These niches are
topped by various designs of chaitya-arch motifs and interspersed with perforated
windows.
The three devakoshtha pavilions house images of Siva in different forms. A
characteristic feature of the temple is its well-developed rekha-nagara (northern)
sikhara with an elaborately carved Chaitya-arch enshrining Nataraja on the
frontage of the sukanasa. The amalaka and kalasa are, however, missing.

Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha is a large complex consisting of a tall vimana with axial
mandapas and peripheral sub-shrines round the court, enclosed by a wall
with gopura-entrances in front and behind, all designed and completed at
one time.
As such, this is the earliest extant temple-complex in the Chalukyan series. The
massive gopuras are also the earliest.
The compound-wall of the complex, following the plan of the group itself, has
on its coping kuta and said-heads, suggestive of a derivation from the Shoretemple at Mahabalipuram-a device which gives the impression of a lower
storey when viewed from a distance.

Papanath temple
complex
Other group of
temples

Papanath, Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna, Chandrashekara, Galaganth ,

Kasavanatha, Jamblunga, Kadasadohesvara

Bibliography
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/239/
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/periodicreporting/APA/cycle01/section2/239summary.pdf
http://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/
http://www.tripadvisor.in/
http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_pattadakkal.asp
http://www.gounesco.com/18300673552-monuments-at-pattadakal/