Cave-2 of the Badami Cave Complex

This article is about the Cave-2 of the Badami Cave complex.

Architectural plan of Badami Cave-2

Cave-2 in this complex is only a small distance away from cave-1. The plan of this cave matches that of cave-1. It also comprises of an open porch, a pillared hall with a sanctuary cut into its rear wall.

This cave is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was excavated after cave-3 and is smaller and is less refined than it.

The verandah of the cave has four square pillars in front. These pillars are erected on a plinth enlivened with friezes of ganas and are intricately carved from the middle upwards.

On top of these pillars, projected slender brackets support external molded projections to throw off rainwater. These molded projections or drips are ribbed from below. The slender-brackets supporting the drips have hippogryphs, lions, elephants, and humans emerging from the mouths of Makras and other aquatic creatures.

Jay-Vijay at the Badami Cave-2

We take three steps build in the middle of the cave and climb on the narrow platform outside the verandah. There are two five-feet 10-inches dwarpals, Jay and Vijay, at the two ends of this platform flanking the entrance to the porch. Both of them shows calm composition and are meditating in Gyan Mudra. Below the carvings of dwarpals, several ganas are frolicking.

Beams in the cave carry friezes of puranic episodes of Samudra-Manthan, birth of Krishna, Krishna as cow-herd and Lord Vishnu sleeping on Sheshanag. There are reliefs of Brahma, Vishnu, Durga, Kartikya, Lakulisha etc. as well in this cave.

Sculpture of Varaha-Avatar at Badami Cave-2

Major sculptures of the cave are Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu towards the left and Vamana – Trivikrama Avatar towards the right. We head towards the sculpture of Varaha-Avatar of Lord Vishnu first.

The Varaha Avatar idol is usually represented in both Zoomorphic and Anthropomorphic forms.

In Zoomorphic form Varaha is often depicted as a free-standing boar colossus. Here, it is carved in anthropomorphic form – a boar’s head with a human body. The ears, cheeks, and eyes are based on human ones.

Early anthropomorphic Varaha sculptors faced the issue of how to attach the boar head to the human body and did not show a human neck. This problem was resolved here by including a human neck. 

In this idol Varaha has four arms, two upper hands hold the Sudarshana chakra (discus) and shankha (conch), while the other lower hand holds a gada (mace). In the last hand Varaha is holding Bhu-devi.

Bhudevi, the personified Earth, is carved as a young woman, affectionately leaning against Her saviour.

Lord Varaha is standing on a lotus pedestal over Sheshnag. Sheshnag and one of his associate is praying and worshiping Lord Varaha for His heroic act. On top of the panel, there are flying celestial couples with garlands in their hands.

Sculpture of Vamana-Avatar/Trivikrama-Avatar at Badami Cave-2

From here, we move towards the Trivikrama statue. In this statue both Vamana (the dwarf Brahmin Boy) and transformed gigantic Trivikrama are shown.

Vamana is carrying a wooden umbrella. Bali, the grandson of Prahlada is welcoming him. Bali is carrying a spouted pot of water to take the sankalpa to fulfil the wish of Vamana.

Vamana asked for the land that would be covered by His three steps in donation from the king Bali.

Bali was a proud and generous king. Guru Shukracharya warned Bali that the dwarf is not an ordinary person and he should not grant Him the wish. However, the generous king had no intention to stop.

He asked his wife to bring the ritual spouted pot of water to take the sankalpa to fulfil the wish of Vamana. Shukracharya realized that his shishya will not stop even though he is aware of the consequences.

So, Shukracharya changed himself in a small bee; entered into the spout and blocked the flow of water from the pot; so the king cannot take the sankalpa of fulfilling Vamana’s wish.

Vamana realized what was happening. He pulled out a blade of grass and inserted it into the spout. It hit Bee’s eye and Shukracharya immediately came out in pain, blinded in one eye. Water flowed from the spout and Bali was able to finish the ritual and take the sankalpa. One-eye Blinded Shukracharya is towards the right of Bali in this carving.

As soon as Vamana’s wishes were granted He transformed himself into Gigantic Trivikrama. In his first stride, he covered Earth; In his second stride he covered Heaven. He then asked Bali where to put his third step.

The King offered his head. Lord Vishnu then puts his third leg on Bali’s head and pushed him to Patal-loka. However, generous and righteous king Bali impressed Lord Vishnu. He granted Bali immortality and allowed him to visit his kingdom and meet his people once a year.

In the carving, an asura is holding Trivikrama’s leg trying to stop him from lifting his leg. And the same person can be seen falling from his lifted leg.

In his four left hands Trivikrama is holding weapons – a sword, disk, mace and an arrow. In his right hands he is holding a bow, shield and a conch.

Carvings on the Ceiling of Badami Cave-2

Matsya Chakra

The roof of this cave is divided into compartments. The compartment over the central bay has a fish-spoked wheel – Matsya Chakra.

Matsya Chakra is a wheel consisting of a medallion carved with lotus flower pattern at the centre and sixteen fish-spokes enclosed by a rim carved with patterns of flowers & leaves. This Chakra is surrounded by two square frames with intricate patterns.

Nandavarta

There is another compartment on the ceiling with four swastika joined together making them appear endless. This is similar to Nandavarta (नन्द्यावर्त) a swastika with nine corners. It is a symbol of joy, prosperity, inner mysteries, the unconscious and good luck. It is an ashtamangala which is used for worship.

The Sanctuary

The interior mandapa leads to the sanctuary cut into the rear, however there is no idol now. A full lotus flower is cut in front of the sanctuary, probably for offerings.

We can read the names of three craftsmen – Vachya, Buru and Duttoja who signed their names over the façade of the cave.

Steps from this cave ascend to a terrace with splendid views across the town. On the rear side of this terrace is a natural cavern within which mutilated figure of Padmapani holding a lotus flower can be seen.

References

Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal by George Michelle.

The cave Temples of India by James Fergusson and James Burgess.

Series Navigation

<< Cave-1 of the Badami Cave ComplexBadami Cave-3 >>