The Archaeological Survey of India, with a motive to store and preserve the explored materials, sculptures, inscriptions, pre-historic stone implements, and hero stones etc., established an institution in the historical town of Badami in 1979. It was later transformed to a full-fledged museum in 1982. Situated near the Agastyatirtha Tank, it lies about 30 km from Bagalkot.

Collections

The museum exhibits various stone sculptures dating back to the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties (550-950 AD), and medieval periods. Some of the major attractions of the museum are:

• the images of Lajja-Gauri, a fertility cult inhibited in the region during the Chalukyan Empire.
• sculptures of Hindu deities like Lord Shiva, Ganapati, Vishnu etc.
• an interesting panel narrating scenes from Bhagwata Gita.
• a scaled model of a nearby pre-historic rock shelter, the Shidlaphadi Cave, various stone artifacts, pre-historic art forms etc.
• hero stones, inscriptions, carved architectural members and pair of impressive dwarapalaka figures on pedestals.
• epigraphy and architecture have been organized in a separate gallery.

The museum remains open from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs daily, except Fridays and public holidays. It, basically, comprises of four galleries, an open gallery in the veranda and an open-air gallery in the front. One needs to take a ticket of Rs. 2 per head as the entry fee. Children up to the age of 15 are free to enter.