Barring a few that date back to the 3rd century AD, most of Pattadakal's World Heritage–listed temples were built during the 7th and 8th centuries AD. he main Virupaksha Temple is a massive structure, its columns covered with intricate carvings depicting episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. A giant stone sculpture of Nandi sits to the temple’s east. The Mallikarjuna Temple, next to the Virupaksha Temple, is almost identical in design. About 500m south of the main enclosure is the Jain Papanatha Temple, its entrance flanked by elephant sculptures.
Historians believe Pattadakal served as an important trial ground for the development of South Indian temple architecture. Two main types of temple towers were tried out here. Curvilinear towers top the Kadasiddeshwra, Jambulinga and Galaganatha temples, while square roofs and receding tiers are used in the Mallikarjuna, Sangameshwara and Virupaksha temples.
The temple complex also serves as the backdrop to the annual Classical Dance Festival, held between January and February.
A guide here costs about ₹250.
