Aihole is a village with a historic temple complex in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. It is located at a distance of 510 km from Bangalore. It is known for its Chalukyan architecture with about 125 stone temples dating back to 5th century. Aihole lies to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River. It was earlier known as Ayyavole and Aryapura in its inscriptions. It was established as the first capital of Chalukya kings. The place has been described as one of the cradles of temple architecture.

According to mythology, Aihole is the place where Parshuram washed his axe after killing all the Kshatriyas. This place is also sometimes referred to as cradle of Hindu rock architecture.

The Beauty of Aihole

Artisans worked on the rocks to create the earliest rock cut shrines. Artisans graduated to the Chalukyan style of architecture. There are two main temple groups at Aihole-Kontigudi Group and Galaganatha Group of temples although historians have divided the temples in 22 groups. A group of three temples is referred to as the Kontigudi group of temples. One of these is Lad Khan temple, which is also the oldest temple at Aihole. The other two are Huchiappayyagudi Temple and the Huchiappayya Math.

Durga Temple or Fortress Temple is the best known at Aihole. A pillared corridor runs around the temple covering the shrine. Lad khan Temple consists of two mantapas in front of it. This shrine bears a Shiva lingam. The mukhamantapa in front of the sanctum has 12 pillars. It has pillars arranged in the form of two concentric squares. There are grids of stone on walls carrying floral designs. The temple has a Panchayat style hall. It has a Shivalingam and also an idol of Nandi installed in the centre.

Ravana Phadi cave is one of the oldest rock temples in Aihole. It is located to the south east of Hucchimslli Temple. Jyotirlinga group lies to the south west of Ravalphadi cave. It has two small temples.

Meguti Jain Temple stands on a hillock and sits on a raised platform. One can have a beautiful view of hundred temples from the roof of the shrine. This temple gives evidence of Dravidian style of architecture.

Information for Visitors

Best season to visit Aihole is from October to January. Gulbarga was the capital of Bahamanis and the main attractions here are the tomb of Hazrat Khwaja Band Nawaz Gesu Daraz.

Bijapur is a large town with a Gol Gumbaz. It can also be visited. Badami was once a capital of Chalukyas and is also a place famous for Hindu and Jain cave shrines. Pattadakal is famous for its 150 temples made within the radius of 48km. The famous one is Papanatha, Kashivishvanatha, Jambulinga, Galgantha, Sangameshwar, Mallikarjuna and Virupaksha.

How to Reach Aihole

Rail

There is no railway station is in Aihole so the nearest station is Bagalkot. It is located at a distance of 27km from Aihole.

Air

The nearest airport is Belgaum, 189km away, which is connected to Mumbai by Vayudoot flights.

Road

Aihole is connected by road to Pattadakal, which is about 17km away. Badami is about 44km and Bangalore is located at a distance of 490km. Many buses and taxis run on this route.