Location of Badami caves: - Badami Caves are in the Karnataka state of India. How to visit Badami Caves: - Badami Caves can be reached by Train. If travelling from Banglore, take the Banglore ? Hubli express that leaves Banglore at 22.00 hrs and reaches Gadag Junction at 9.43 in the morning. The train fare for 2A sleeping Birth is IRS 944 .The sleeping Births are very comfortable. From Gadag you can take a Car to Badami. We arranged with Hotel Mugambika (Fax 0091835720106, Tel 0091835720067,20637) of Badami to pick up at the station, visit Badami, Aihole, and Pattdalkal and drop us at the station the following day for a fare of IRS 3,000. Buses are available from Gadag to Badami You may take a train from Hubli to Badami, which is not frequent. Alternatively you can join the conducted tours of Karnataka tourist Development Corporation which starts from Banglore.

Badami Caves: - They are wonderful Caves. Full of Sculptures. The pillars are to give the impression that they are supporting the roof, which is not true. The pillars are highly decorated with carvings. Even the roof is carved and gives the impression that they are paintings. There are several caves, one of which is dedicated to Jain culture, a true reflection of religious harmony, which the present world lacks.

A short distance away you go through crowded but colourful market is a Temple complex by the side of a lake. There are few hidden caves, which houses some astonishing carvings.

Badami is a rural small town, crowded and noisy. There are no big hotels. Perhaps Hotel Mugambika is the best out of the lot. The standard single A/C room cost IRs 900, about 20 US$. It houses bar open to public; the local drunkards quarrel can be deafening but amusing. Badami Court is another alternative. There are hotels run by Karnataka tourist Development corporation which are very basic but very cheap around 2- 3 US $ per day.

Aihole and Pattadalkal are only 20 Km away from Badami and are places not to be missed. Durga Temple in Aihole alone is worth the trip. (Refer to my article on Aihole).

The car service of Mugambika is excellent. The driver is absolutely honest. My friend Ian left his digital Camera in the car when we were dropped at the station. The driver realised that the camera was in the car only on his way back. He dashed back to the station to return the camera