Badami rock-cut temples, Cave-2

Last week's post was on Badami Cave-1, the first of the four manmade cave temples or rock-cut temples, all are north-facing. The four cave temples are situated in the sandstone rocks' vertical faces at different elevations, Cave-1 is at the lowest and Cave-4 is the highest. Also, the cave-temples are numbered in the order of their construction. Between Cave-2 and Cave-3 is a natural cave. In this post we'll take a look at Cave-2 and the natural cave too.

This is the façade of Cave-2. A rectangular mouth with four separate pillars and two pseudo-columns. At the middle is the staircase of six steps. Flanking the staircase are two panels, each enclosing a set of Ganas in different postures & facial expressions. 

A slightly zoomed in view. In plan, Cave-2 is smaller than Cave-1. Floor to ceiling height seems to be same. This cave, dedicated to Vishnu, is said to be created late VI Century or early VII Century. 

In the verandah space, on the opposing walls are Dwarapala i.e. doorkeepers. Normally  Dwarapala are shown wielding weapons like spears or swords, however here they are holding flowers. Below each Dwarapala is a panel of four Ganas in different postures, at least one seems to be performing acrobats.

This is the space between the next pillar-rows. At the middle on the floor is a semicircular projection from the floor within which is a raised circle. I think it's an incomplete piece of work. Probably the circle was to be sculpted as a lotus as seen in Cave-1. The pillars are similar to  pillars of Cave-1. On the wall at the end of this space is a large sculpture of Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu. On the opposite wall i,e.e behind me is Vamana, the fifth incarnation. Its not just the pillars and walls that are decorated, even the ceiling has interesting sculptures.

A closer look at the two avatars of Vishnu. Varaha, the wild boar form is rescuing Bhoodevi from the depths of cosmic ocean. Varaha is shown with four arms, two of the hour hands are holding Shankha and Chakra. Serpent king Naaga is seen paying respect to Varaha. In the panel blow are nine Ganas in various postures. The Gana sculpture is damaged, looks like the sculpture was struck with a hammer. In this cave, Varaha sculpture is the second largest while Vamana sculpture is the largest.

Coming to Vamana avatar, the dwarf is shown holding an umbrella and accepting alms from King Bali. Next to the dwarf  is the gigantic form Trivikrama. Vishnu having broken King Bali's haughtiness, the latter surrenders to the mighty Vishnu. The eight armed Trivikrama is shown wielding weapons like bow, mace, sword, etc. and also holding Shankha & Chakra. The group of six Ganas below is a musical band. The Ganas are playing musical instruments and singing with happy expressions.

Lets turn our attention to the ceiling. First the wheel with lotus hub & sixteen fish spokes. The wheel rim is decorated with floral murals. The wheel is inside a square frame surrounded by thirteen Ganas.

The other ceiling sculpture is a 3x3 matrix of Swastika, couples and a lotus. At the center is the lotus. Around the lotus at four Swastika and at the four corners are couples inside square frames. The swastikas & square frames are connected with each other forming a maze. Also if you observe closely, you can see faded multicolor paint art. Probably the many parts of the ceiling and walls used to have fresco paintings.

View of the Garbhagudi steps & door. The entrance is narrower than that of Cave-1. Look above the door, there are three Rekhanagari Shikharas - this suggests that structural temples also existed at that time. Also the door frame has simple looking multiple tiers. Doorframes in structural temples were highly ornate designs. In the Garbhagudi there's a pedestal but no deity.

This is the space between pillar rows 2 and 3. The pillars on the left hand side are really well made, they look perfect. The ribbed section looks so consistent. The beams connecting the pillars are elegant, they look like arches. On the right hand side, the pillar tops have humanoid characters enclosed in circular frames, they are blurred, can't make out what they depict. Wish I had paid more attention to while I was at the site.

Next, this is the space between rows 3 and 4. At the center on the floor, aligned to the Garbhagudi door, is a lotus mural. Of course the lotus is also meant to be aligned with the deity. I should've shot this picture lowering the camera so that upper parts of the column and beams were captured. There are some interesting sculptures on these pillars.

Space between row 4 and Garbhagudi wall. The balustraded staircase has an interesting design, all corners are well rounded. In this view the multitiered doorframe is visible clearly. The three tiers are plain and elegant. In Cave-1, there was a nest in the wall nut none here. 

The lotus mural on the floor in front of the Garbhagudi. Each of the three layers have 12 petals each. The center is damaged, probably by an act of vandalism.

Done with Cave-2, we step out from the stuffy cave. It was a relief to be out in the open. Right besides Cave-2 is the natural cave. A very few tourists take interest in the natural cave.

The triangular mouth of the natural cave, looks like an equilateral triangle. At the base it could be 45' wide. The interior is like an inverse of a pyramid. 

On the eastern wall is a small humanoid sculpture. The corner on the right hand side was probably a favorite resting spot for human beings who occupied this cave.

A closer look at the sculpture - the main character is surrounded by eight other characters. The main character seem to be a male, dressed in a robe, is holding a lotus bud with right hand. Of the smaller eight, the one seated to the left, having curly hair - seeing this I feel this could be sculpted by Buddhist monks. Also, there's one small female figure. The other figures aren't very clear in this photo. I must check out this sculpture again during my next visit.

View of rocks, Badami town and north hill from the natural cave.

And not to miss the scenery. During the prehistoric times, this cave must have been occupied by a powerful family leading a large group. The cave has a commanding view. Of course back then the tank bund did not exist since its a relatively recent creation. However, a small pond would've existed since rainwater flowed down into this valley. One can sit, look at the rocks, the valley and explore the past in your own mind.

The natural cave as seen from a side.

Next to the path connecting Cave-2 and Cave-3 is this staircase blocked by shutters which are kept locked all times. On the other side of the gate the staircase, a very steep one with high narrow steps, winds its way up to ruins of Badami south fort at the top. Back in the early 80s, the staircase was open to public. I remember ascending it, the steps get higher as we go up. We had a tough time while descending, the only way to descend is backwards, very slowly. After our visit, there was an accident involving fatalities. The staircase remains closed to public ever since.

We'll see Cave-3 & Cave-4 in the following posts.

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