Located at a distance of 1 km from Badami bus station, on the outskirts of the city, Agastya Lake is an enormous lake that lies below the caves temples. Formed way back in the 5th century, this sacred lake is known to have waters that have healing powers. A dip in the holy waters take away all your sins and ills.
The cave temples are on the south west part of the lake, Bhoothanatha temples is on the eastern banks and the fort on the north western side. All the caves face the lake and one of them has ruins of Buddha inside it. As per Puranas, Pushkarini was a pleasure of tank of Lord Vishnu in his abode. Lord’s vehicle, Garuda, brought it here and set it.
Agastya Lake has wonderful surroundings and the visitors can enjoy lovely views of the hills and some historical monuments as well. Bhoothanatha temples that look like it is emerging from the lake is a great sight with a huge hillock in the backdrop. This lake is also a popular picnic spot amidst locals as well as tourists. The other nearby temples have a wonderful architecture and are festooned with superb sculptures.
The lake has been named after Rishi Agastya, one of the Saptarishis. According to legend Badami has its origin in the Vatapi legend in the great Hindu epic of Ramayana relating to the Sage. Using the sandstone rocks around the lake with gaps in them, act as pathways for climbing up the nearby hill.
