Ancient rock paintings at Badami

Rock Paintings At Badami (10,000 BC To 2nd Century CE)

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The ancient rocks of Badami are adorned with paintings that date back thousands of years. The thought of witnessing something so old intrigued us, so we embarked on a quest to find these artworks.

Rock Paintings At Badami

Guddda Ranganatha-Swamy Temple, Badami

We learned the rock paintings resided near the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Gudi and set off from our accommodation. We followed the maps, and as we crossed nearby settlements, we climbed about 100 steps that led us to a shrine on the left. We were quite excited to know that we had reached our destination soon, but to our dismay, the paintings eluded us. The shrine didn’t have what we sought.

Fortunately, a couple of local boys happened to be nearby. They pointed us in the right direction and instructed us to proceed straight and take a left. However, they warned us that the path ahead would be pretty challenging. But we already felt like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, so nothing could stop us from discovering the ancient mysteries!

Following their guidance, we continued our journey and turned left as instructed. After hiking for about 50 meters, we noticed remnants of a campfire—a positive sign that we were on the right track. Undeterred by the rough terrain, we skillfully climbed boulders, ascending to a higher elevation. From this vantage point, we spotted a pathway leading to the top. However, reaching the pathway seemed to be slightly tricky. After some careful deliberation, we finally discovered the shrouded route.

Rocks where the cave paintings are situated

As we rounded the rock and reached what appeared to be the end of the short path, our search intensified. This was our moment of revelation. We found the paintings on the towering rocks depicting sheep herds, elevated human figures, and a man bent in a gesture we didn’t quite decipher.

Perhaps over time, the meaning behind the paintings was lost. Instead of quenching our thirst for answers, seeing those paintings made us delve deeper into the question – what do the paintings mean?

During our visit to the archaeological museum, we learned that more such paintings were discovered in Badami’s rocks. These ancient artworks were created using blood and pigments derived from natural fruits and vegetables. They served as a remarkable testament that humans communicated through pictorial representations and sounds long before the written language was invented.

Tall human beings

Our minds lingered with more questions – Who painted these remarkable scenes at such heights? How did these rock paintings withstand time, surviving centuries of exposure to natural elements? But nothing seemed to satisfy our curiosity. In fact, the answered questions only fueled our yearning to learn more about these ancient artifacts.

Cow and tall humans - rock paintings at Badami

As we departed with questions, we realized there was more to these rocks than merely paintings. We lifted our gaze and witnessed a thrilling sight—an adventurous girl rappelled down a towering rock face. Instantly we realized these rocks and the surroundings were the perfect playgrounds for rock climbers and adrenaline junkies. Mesmerized by the display of skill and bravery, we sat down to observe the foreign girls conquer the cliffs.

After their little stint of adventure, we engaged in heartfelt conversations with the girls. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as we exchanged stories and learned about their daring lifestyle. The conversation was beautiful and seemed to have a lasting impact on our memories.

You can also hire a guide, but we explored on our own, which was more fun and rewarding.

Guide contact: Rajiv (+91 9986266209), Speaks Kannada and English.

In case you’re wondering if there’s anything more to this place, you’re right in doing so. Badami is home to several thrilling activities and experiences. From rock climbing to other exhilarating endeavors, the town caters to thrill-seekers. We’ve dedicated a separate blog post detailing these activities. Check it out, and your trip to this unassuming town of Badami might just become adventurous.

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