It’s not all divine mythological images that decorate the sandstone walls of the temples of Patadakkal Complex. It has representations of common people, too. The complex is a group of temples built over three centuries after the 6th Century CE under different kings of the Chalukyan Empire and their queens to commemorate various victories in wars and other reasons. This place was where the coronation of the Kings happened. The temple is built on a bend in the River Mallaprabha. This river is a fertile patch in the predominantly rocky and dry landscape of the Deccan.
Our guide, Mr Chandru, told us that the above images are of the common people looking through windows. These window-like designs are inspired by the Chaitya design of Buddhist temples that became popular in that age. Time has eroded the finer details, and they stand out compared to the larger, majestically carved family of mythological stories on the walls.
For a long time, this abandoned temple complex was occupied by people who cultivated the valley's rich soil. When the temples were restored, they were settled in New Patadakal, a large village around the temple.
There are a couple of functioning temples in the complex today. Most of the temples have depressions seen above in the stone that were probably used by people who lived here to grind grains or spices.
Several of the temples in what was the Badami Chaulkyas's capital territory are now between sugarcane and millet fields—protected by fences from encroachers but allowing passage for people to go about their work.
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