Malegitti Shivalaya

Perched on a rocky outcrop on Badami's northern hill, Malegitti Shivalaya is considered the oldest of the temples in that group. Built of finely joined stone without mortar and topped by a Dravidian tower, it honours a gentler form of Shiva as garland maker. The climb up is short but steep, rewarding visitors with wide views over the town, Agastya Lake and the cave temples on the opposite hill.