Under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’s theme Cultural Pride, “Wonder Caves” festival is being organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Under this, a beautiful blend of literature, culture, art, archaeology, and history is being presented. This festival is a campaign dedicated to our rich history, culture, stories of freedom struggle and their Bravehearts deeply ingrained in the built heritage and caves of our country.
South Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in association with Archaeological Survey of India, Dharwad Circle organised a programme “Wonder Caves” at Jain and Vaishanava Caves, Badami and The Bhutnath Group of Temples at Badami on 6th June 2023 in two sessions.
About Badami Caves:
Located on the west side of a man-made lake, flanked on the north and south by forts created in later periods by an earthen wall with stone stairs, Badami is the modern name for Vataapinagara, the early Chalukya dynasty's capital. These areas dominated much of Karnataka from the sixth to the eighth centuries. The belief goes that this foremost cave was constructed around 578 CE.
Badami is blessed with four unique cave temples decorated with captivating carvings of Hindu gods. The architecture of these temples is a unified blend of North Indian Nagara and South Indian Dravidian styles. The Badami Caves complex is part of the Malaprabha River valley's "Evolution of Temple Building – Aihole-Badami- Pattadakal." Another attraction is the vast, gorgeous and picturesque pond.
Following events took place on 6th June 2023 at Ellora Caves under the aegis of Wonder Caves.
In the morning session, the heritage walk started at 8.00 AM followed by painting and essay competitions, photo exhibition, on rock cut caves of India, with the active involvement of the college students consisting of 100 students in the presence of Tourist visitors.
In the evening session at 6.30 pm, the South Zone Cultural Centre presented the performances of two fabulous folk traditions of Karnataka - Kamsale from Mysore, Jogati Nrutya from Dharwad - and Siddhi Damami, a captivating tribal dance from Gullapura, with 15 artists in each troupe at Bhutanata Group of temples at Badami on 6 June 2023 (Agastyateertha Tank Premises).