Bhutanatha Temple, Badami

The Bhutanatha Temple stands at the water's edge of Agastya Lake in Badami and is the main shrine of the Bhutanatha group. It honours Shiva as lord of spirits, and the name is said to come from a demon, Bhootha, whom Shiva defeated here; legend says its spirit lingered in the chambers below, crying out. Locals also believe the lake has healing powers.

The Badami Chalukyas built the core of the temple in the 7th century, and the Kalyani Chalukyas added the outer mandapa in the 11th century, the same period as the nearby Mallikarjuna Temple. The tower follows the northern Nagara form while the rest is in the Deccan manner. Inside, a Nandi faces the Shiva linga, and the sanctum doorway shows Ganga on a makara and Yamuna on a tortoise beneath a lotus ceiling. Smaller shrines in the group have carved door frames, pierced stone windows and dancing figures.