Pattadakal (16 kms from Badami), located on the banks of the Mallaprabha river was the third Chalukyan capital. Temples in both southern & northern style are found side by side. This town served as the royal coronation site. Pattadakal was also known by other names such as Raktapura & Pattadakal Kisuvolal (Red Town), for the sand stone used for the construction of the temples was red sand stone.
The Paapanaath temple was built in the northern style in the 7th century, the architecture bearing resemblances of various influences, the interior being similar to rock cut cave temples. The important among the southrn style temples are the Sangameswara temple, Virupaksha temple & Mallikarjuna temple. The earliest was the Sangameshwara temple built by Vijayaditya
Satyasraya (697 – 733 A.D). Virupaaksha & Mallikarjuna temples dedicated to Lord Shiva were built by the two queens of Vikramaditya II, Lokamahadevi and Trailokamahadevi around 740A.D to commemorate their king Vikramaditya's victory over the Pallavas. The temples were originally named after the two queens Lokeswara & Trailokeswara. Both temples are similar in structure & design. Though the Mallikarjuna temple is smaller in size, it boasts of much greater sculptural display. In front of both temples is a Nandi mandapam housing a huge majestic 2.6 m high Nandi. The interior wall sbear sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabaratha, Bhagavata and Panchatantra.
A remarkable piece of work is a carving designed to look like an elephant from one side and a bull from the other. Navagrahas, Dikpalakas, Nataraja carvings can be seen on the ceiling panels. Lingodbhava, Ardhanarisvara, Tripurari, Varahavishnu, and Trivikramacarvings adron the walls. The temples bear a great resemblance to the Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi. Though the Pallavas & Chalukyas were waring, the Chalukyan rulers did not let it affect their love for art & architecture. They were willing to follow a good model & also took artisans to execute their temples. Mahaakuteswar lies on the outskirts of Badami. Temples in both southern & northern style are found in the same enclosure. The Mahakuteswar temple is in the southern style, while the Sangameswara temple is of the northern style.
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