Aihole, Karnataka, India - Info by Sundar Palaniappan
Early Chalukya monuments at Aihole
Aihole is situated in the northern Karanataka district of Bagalkot and is located 35 kms from Badami.
Like most of the Northern places in Karanataka, Aihole experiences hot and humid weather during summer and the weather could be hardly tolerable and this could be one of the reasons, why the early Chalukyas shifted their capital from Aihole to Vatapi ( the current day Badami ).
Aihole is situated on the banks of Malaprabha river.
In and around this tiny village of Aihole, one could see more than 125 temples which were constructed by the artisans of early Chalukyan era and the construction started during fifth century and continued till 12th century.
Ancient Aihole was said to be the experimenting place for different style of rock cut architecture and the artisans perfected this art to full fledged Chalukya style of architecture.
Temples to see in Aihole
- Durga Gudi - Situated at the centre of Aihole
- Lad Khan temple - the temple which was built during seventh century
- Huchchappayana Matha - Situated at the outskirts of Aihole village and contains statues of amorous couple
- Ravana Phadi cave - One of the oldest rock cut caves in Aihole
- Huchimalli Gudi - a seventh century temple
- Meguti Jain Temple - a seventh century monument build on a hillock. On the way, one could see the two storyed temple which is dedicated to Buddha
- Ambigera Gudi - Situated opposite to Durga Gudi complex
- Mallikarjuna Temple complex - Situated near Durga Gudi
- Charanthi Matha complex - group of Jain temples
- Gauri Gudi - Situated near Durga Gudi
- Jyothirlinga Temple complex - Situated near Durga Gudi
Quick facts
Getting there
If you are travelling by government bus from Hospet, you could get down at Amingad( aka Ammingarh ) and could hire an auto-rickshaw or catch a sharable auto-rickshaw to Aihole which is located nine kms.
When to go
August to March
Places to stay
One could book a room at KSTDC, Aihole in advance. Alternatively one could stay at Badami which is located 35kms from Aihole.