Badami
Carved into towering red sandstone cliffs in the 6th century by the Chalukya dynasty, the four Badami cave temples are among the finest examples of early Indian rock-cut architecture. Each cave — dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Jainism — is a masterclass in sculptural artistry: the 18-armed Nataraja, the stunning Trivikrama striding across three worlds, and intricately carved ceilings that feel impossibly detailed for their age. This is Karnataka's answer to Ajanta and Ellora.
Cave 3 (the Vishnu cave) is the largest and most ornate — don't rush through it. The view of Agastya Lake from the cave mouth at sunrise is incredible.