Boothanatha Temple (Badami, Karnataka)

Bhoothanatha temple, Badami

At a distance of 1.5 Kilometers from Badami Bus Station, Bhoothanatha Temple is a magnificent structure situated on the banks of Agasthya Lake. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Bhoothanatha Temple is surrounded by water on three sides.

The temple was constructed in the early 8th century by Chalukyas. Constructed in Dravidian style, the temple emerges into the Agasthya Lake and becomes inaccessible during peak monsoons when the water level in the lake reaches its full capacity. The temple has a pillered mukha mandapa, sabha mandapa and inner sanctum with Shiva image.

The form of Bhoothnath is said to be the combination of the God of Soul, Spirit and the Ghost. The temple all dark inside has an image of Shiva in an angry form. The Bhoothnath monuments constitute the early modes and phases of South Indian temple architecture.