Badami (2)

Northern plateau and market

After a lunch and a nap, John drove with Pradeepa down to the museum on the north shore of the lake. Just next to it is the starting point for the path up to the northern plateau, with its temples and ruined fort. Initial fears as to the steepness of the climb were dissipated when John saw cows coming back down. If they could make it, he was sure going to do so too.


Path upwards
Path
Beautiful bougainvillea and the gate to the upward path
The path leads into sheer-rock-walled gorges
Cows
Natural steps
The cows made it
Steps following the contour of the rock
View over the lake
Fortifications
View over the lake
Fortifications
Upper Shivalaya Temple
Upper Shivalaya Temple
Temple and cliffs
Upper Shivalaya Temple

On the way, there are wondeful views up and down and over. The cliffs and gorges are quite impressive. And the fortifications and other constructions give a hint of the splendor that this all once was. At the top, perspective is inverted: Instead of looking up towards the top of the cliffs, you stand on a plateau and realize that in fact the lake is at the bottom of a huge hole.


Fortifications
Gate
Fortifications
Entrance way
Path
On the plateau
Nearing the top
On the plateau - background cliffs are on far side of lake

The views from the top are marvellous. You have to be careful, though, not to take a step without looking, as you may step into a 15-meter deep gorge! And of course monkies are not lacking.

Upper Shivalaya Temple
Malagatti Shivalaya Temple
Upper Shivalaya Temple
Looking down toward the Malagatti Shivalaya Temple
Granaries
View of south caves
For grain storage?
View of cave temples in south cliff
Monkies
Northern fort
Monkies on the rocks
The northern plauteau, with granaries, fort
and Upper Shivalaya Temple


The next morning, we visited Pattadakal and Mahakuta. That afternoon, we went back into Badami to stroll around the evening market, which a marvel of color and animation.

Market - marigolds
Market - marigolds
Marigold garlands
Beautiful construction from yellow marigolds
Tailor and family
Beans
A tailor and his family smiling for Siv
Beans and brinjal (eggplant)

People selling all sorts of beans, vegetables (not so many fruits), cloth, sandals -- you name it.

Beans Tourist and locals
Colorful beans
John met some friendly people
Chili peppers My tailor is rich
Those are chili peppers!
Tailor with turbaned customer

As we wandered out toward the main street, twilight was coming on. But John managed to find a sweets seller where he bought some delicious laddoos and other sweets. Yum!

Using their heads
Market street
Balancing act
Tourist in market street
Downtown Badami Sweets seller
Main Street, India - Badami, in this case
A sweets seller

So Badami was a real hit for us!

Back to Badami 1, the cave temples and the ghat.

On to Goa or back to India 2009.