Aihole
Travel Guide
Famous as the "Cradle of Indian architecture", Aihole has over a hundred
temples scattered around the village.
Wherever one looks, it's temples theat meet the eyes. Intricately carved, rich
in detail, quiet and peaceful.Mute witnesses of a bygone era.
The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the
Lad Khan temple dating back to
the 5th Century. On the roof of the temple is another shrine-like Vimana.
The Durga (Fort) Temple is notable for its semi-circular shape, elevated
plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. The interior is filled with
fascinating carvings. Chamlundi Devi trampling the buffalo demon. Narasimha-the
half-man half-lion God. Ardhanari the half-male half-female deity Mahisasura
Mardini…In this same complex, is the first model of an intricately carved
lathe-turned pillar.
The
Hutchimalli Temple- out in the village -has a sculpture of Vishnu
sitting at top a large cobra, Dating back to the 6th Century, the Ravalphadi
Cave -Temple celebrates the many forms of Shiva. Not-to-be -missed is the Konthi
Temple Complex (kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheswari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple
and the two-storeyed Buddhist Temple.
Climb up the stairs and you'll come across a tranquil, smiling Buddha carved
on the ceiling. This then is Aihole, the earliest
Capital of the Chalukyas.
Today , a picturesque village nestling on the banks of the Malaprabha river
and overflowing with clusters and clusters of the most beautiful temlples.
Languages Spoken:
Kannada, Hindi, English.
When to go There:
October to February . Summers tend to be very hot.
How to get there:
Rail:
The nearest railway station is Badami.
Road:
Aihole is connected by road to : · Pattadakal (17 kms) · Badamli (46
kms) · Bangalore (483 kms)
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