File:An 1853 sketch of the 6th or 7th century stone carvings, Shaiva dvarapala, Nataraja Shiva and Mahishasura mardini Durga in Cave 1, Badami Hindu Cave Temple.jpg

English: From the source,

Pen-and-ink and wash drawing of a sculpture of a guardian figure (dvarapala), dancing Shiva and Mahishasura Mardini from Cave I, Badami, by an Indian draftsman, dated 1853.

Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, was the capital of the Early Chalukya Hindu dynasty rulers in the sixth - eighth centuries. The town is situated between two rocky hills of red sandstone that surround an artificial lake. There are two later forts that overlook the town. Around the south fort there are four rock-cut cave temples. Cave I is the earliest of the rock cut caves of Badami and belongs to the late sixth century. It consists of a large columned hall (mandapa) and a small square sanctuary. The column shafts are incised with jewel and garland motifs and miniature medallions containing figures. Large sculpture panels in the porch depict Harihara with Lakshmi, Garuda, Parvati and Nandi (left) and Shiva with Nandi (right). The figures on the top left in the drawing represent Shiva and Parvati on Nandi.

The left sketch shows the stone carving of a guardian figure (dvarapala) at the temple's entrance.

The middle sketch traces the vigorous sculpture of the sixteen-armed Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, carved on the rock face projecting from the side of the rock facade. It shows Ganesha, Nandi and an early medieval era musician with drums.

The sketch to the right depicts Mahishasuramardini, the goddess Durga killing the buffalo-headed demon. All in Cave I of the Badami Cave Temples group.

These three stone carvings, along with other artworks found in Badami, depict significant cultural and social information. The conical brocaded long caps or crowns, the dress, the jewelry, postures, natya sastra dance mudra already developed, and the mythologies.