Places Near Pattadakal
B
adami, Aihole and Pattadakal make a doable circuit.Also consider the Mahakuta and Banashanhari temples.
Assuming you are basing at Badami, you can make a short detour to Mahahuta on the way to Pattadakal from Badami. Similarly, Banashankari can be covered on the way back from the Pattadakal to Badami.
The Badami to Pattadakal distance is about 22km. If you make a dtour via Mahakuta, It's a couple of km more.
Banshankari to Pattadakal distance is about 17k and Banshhankari to Badami distance is about 5km.
Also note, the Badami Railway station is about 5km north of the Badami Caves site.
Aihole is 15km north of Pattadakal.
Hampi at a distance of 150km southeast of Badami is another major destination around this circuit.
Bakkhali is a tiny seaside resort located in South Twenty Four Parganas (24 Parganas) in West Bengal.
A calm ocean and a serene beach with waves gently crashing at your feet. That is Bakkhali for you. It is located on one of the many islands that form part of the Sunderban delta.Fraserganj which is a major town in Bakkhali is now forming one continuous town with Bakkkhali.The two places are linked by a stretch of pristine beach. The beach of Bakkhali is hard and hence ideal for driving, cycling and going for long walks.
Frasergunj which forms part of Bakkhali is named after Andrew Fraser who was the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. He is said to have discovered the place when he accidentally landed here after a shipwreck.
A very unique thing in Bakkhali is the windmills of Frasergunj. These generate power for the town and are visible from all around. Fishing is the primary occupation of this place and you can see fishing nets and dried fish all around. Bakkhali has not yet been touched by the evils of urbanization and this has helped it to retain its idyllic charm. The beach is the most beautiful thing in Bakkhali. A walk down the beach in the early mornings and at sunset is an amazing experience. To see the sun set over the ocean is a sight that has to be seen to experience. The rickshaw van is the only means of local transport available. You can take a ride on the rickshaw to the watch tower. From this tower you can view the entire expanse of the Sunderbans. It is quite a view with the green expanse of the Sunderbans on one side and the sea on the other.
When in Bakkhali you can take a ride in the bhut-bhuti, a crude motor boat to Jambudwip. This is an uninhabited island out in the sea. You can also visit Henrys Island. This is a ten minute ride from Bakkhali and you can go there in a rickshaw van.Sundari and Mangrove are the two rest houses on the island and are owned by the State Fisheries department.
It is advisable to stay there only during winters since the place is without electricity and the heat and mosquitoes are enough to drive you insane. If you are looking for some more fun then you could also make a trip to the crocodile farm and mangrove forest by the Bakkhali bus stop. Entry fee is very nominal. The Bisalakshi temple at the end of the beach is also worth a visit. You could hire a rickshaw van to take you around all these places. It is a fun ride as the van takes you through the village roads and lanes.
Bakkhali can be accessed by road or rail. The nearest railway station is Namkhana. There are regular trains from Sealdah to Namkhana. From Namkhana you cross a small creek by boat to reach the bus stand from where you can get a bus to Bakkhali.
You can also get to Bakkhali from Kolkata by a WBSTC bus that leaves from Esplanade bus terminus. It takes around five hours to reach Bakkhali by bus. There are many hotels in Bakkhali which offer good rooms at moderate prices.
Bakkhali is a tiny seaside resort located in South Twenty Four Parganas (24 Parganas) in West Bengal.
Bakkhali
A calm ocean and a serene beach with waves gently crashing at your feet. That is Bakkhali for you. It is located on one of the many islands that form part of the Sunderban delta.Fraserganj which is a major town in Bakkhali is now forming one continuous town with Bakkkhali.The two places are linked by a stretch of pristine beach. The beach of Bakkhali is hard and hence ideal for driving, cycling and going for long walks. Frasergunj which forms part of Bakkhali is named after Andrew Fraser who was the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. He is said to have discovered the place when he accidentally landed here after a shipwreck. A very unique thing in Bakkhali is the windmills of Frasergunj. These generate power for the town and are visible from all around. Fishing is the primary occupation of this place and you can see fishing nets and dried fish all around. Bakkhali has not yet been touched by the evils of urbanization and this has helped it to retain its idyllic charm. The beach is the most beautiful thing in Bakkhali. A walk down the beach in the early mornings and at sunset is an amazing experience. To see the sun set over the ocean is a sight that has to be seen to experience. The rickshaw van is the only means of local transport available. You can take a ride on the rickshaw to the watch tower. From this tower you can view the entire expanse of the Sunderbans. It is quite a view with the green expanse of the Sunderbans on one side and the sea on the other. When in Bakkhali you can take a ride in the bhut-bhuti, a crude motor boat to Jambudwip. This is an uninhabited island out in the sea. You can also visit Henrys Island. This is a ten minute ride from Bakkhali and you can go there in a rickshaw van.Sundari and Mangrove are the two rest houses on the island and are owned by the State Fisheries department. It is advisable to stay there only during winters since the place is without electricity and the heat and mosquitoes are enough to drive you insane. If you are looking for some more fun then you could also make a trip to the crocodile farm and mangrove forest by the Bakkhali bus stop. Entry fee is very nominal. The Bisalakshi temple at the end of the beach is also worth a visit. You could hire a rickshaw van to take you around all these places. It is a fun ride as the van takes you through the village roads and lanes. Bakkhali can be accessed by road or rail. The nearest railway station is Namkhana. There are regular trains from Sealdah to Namkhana. From Namkhana you cross a small creek by boat to reach the bus stand from where you can get a bus to Bakkhali. You can also get to Bakkhali from Kolkata by a WBSTC bus that leaves from Esplanade bus terminus. It takes around five hours to reach Bakkhali by bus. There are many hotels in Bakkhali which offer good rooms at moderate prices.Train connections for Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
Badami , located about 22 km (14 miles) southwest of Pattadakal is the nearest railway station for Pattadakal. Badami (Station Code:BDM ) itself is on the less busy Solapur-Gadag route. This means, there are not many long distance trains connect Badami directly with other metro cities in the region. However there are a few convenient express and local train connections for Badami.
Chalukya Dynasty
The history of Chalukyas is a bit complicated with controversies and ambiguities ; and often riddled with myths and legends. Complicated, because there were many dynasties ( to be specific three ) shared the name Chalukya. Before going further into this, let's first see where was this Chalukya Empire, as it is often referred, existed in India. Those of you with an understanding of the India's geography , imagine the Indian heartland bordered by two rivers - Narmada in the north and Kaveri in the south. Well, what lies between these two rivers was practically the span of Chalukyan Empire at its peak.