town, northern Karnataka (Karnātaka) state, southwestern India. The town was known as Vatapi in ancient times and was the first capital of the Chalukya (Chalukya dynasty) kings. It is the site of important 6th- and 7th-century Brahmanical and Jaina cave temples. Dug out of solid rock, the temples contain elaborate interior decorations. Several freestanding temples of the Chalukya dynasty also remain there. Pop. (2001) 25,847.