Pattadakal

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Pattadakal is located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples. There are 10 major temples in Pattadakal, all dedicated to Lord Shiva, which contain elements of both South Indian and North Indian styles of architecture. Virupaksha Temple is the largest temple in the Pattadakal complex. It was built by Queen Lokamahadevi in the 8th century to commemorate the victory of her husband Vikramaditya II over the Pallavas. The Pattadakal monuments are located in the Indian state of Karnataka, about 165 kilometres southeast of Belgaum, 265 kilometres northeast from Goa, 14 miles from Badami, via Karanataka state highway SH14, and about 6 miles from Aihole, set midst sandstone mountains and Malprabha river.