Badami
The small but excellent Archaeological Museum in Badami houses a carefully curated collection of Chalukya-era sculptures, coins, and artefacts recovered from the surrounding sites of Pattadakal, Aihole, and Mahakuta. For anyone trying to make sense of the sheer volume of carvings they've seen at the caves, spending an hour here provides invaluable context about the Chalukya dynasty's artistic evolution and their monumental contributions to Indian temple architecture.
Visit the museum before heading to the caves — understanding the iconography in advance transforms how you experience the rock-cut temples.