Historical places to visit in Karnataka - 04

AIHOLE

1. Durga temple 

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.1 Kms

Visited From: Aihole Bus Stand

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins

Place Location: Inside Durga Temple Complex

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of less than 100 meters from Aihole Bus Stand, Durga Temple, also known as Fort Temple, is the most famous monument in Aihole with striking architecture and wonderful carvings. It is located inside the main enclosed complex of Aihole monuments. The name of temple is originated from a fortification (durgam) which existed around the temple earlier.

Build between 7th and 8th centuries by Chalukyas, the temple plan in U shape resembles that of Buddhist Chaitya halls. The temple has a mukha-mandapa, a sabha-mandapa and inner sanctum with Shiva linga. The unique part of the temple is the pillared corridor around the temple that allows pilgrims to take pradakshinas around the temple. This style of architecture is called Gajaprastha (back of an elephant). The temple tower is built in Nagara style, while the dome on the tower is missing. 

The mukha-mandapa and the corridor have extensive carvings. Every corner of the pillar and ceiling are beautifully carved. The ceiling has an image of circular Nagaraja, while another image is that of a lotus with 18 fishes. Important images in the temple are that of Mahishasura Mardhini, Lord Shiva and Varaha. The rear side of the temple has a wonderful carving of Ardhanareeswara. Every pillar in the mukha-mandapa has extensive relief work of couples in different postures.

The inner walls of the verandah have beautiful artwork. The lattice windows that provide ventilation to the sabha-mandapa are quite attractive.

There is a large wonderfully built gateway towards southern side of the temple, which is believed to be the main entrance to the temple when it was fortified.

Complex Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entrance: Rs. 5, Rs. 25 for camera.

2. Ambigera Gudi

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.1 Kms

Visited From: Durga Temple (50 m)

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Place Location: Opposite To Durga Temple Complex

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of less than 100 meters from Aihole Bus Stand, Ambigera Gudi Complex is a group of three temples situated opposite to Durga Temple complex. The temple got its name from Ambiger (boatsmen) who used to live near the temple. 

The complex has one main temple in ruined state with two small shrines. The main temple, believed to be a 10th century monument, has a nagara style sikhara with a mandapa and sanctum. The mandapa has two entrances and the ceiling of mandapa has a lotus image engraved. Built on elevated platform, the temple has a carved doorframe for the sanctum.

The second temple is a small one with broken images of Surya and Vishnu. The third temple is a small ordinary temple without any carvings and images.

This temple is open till 6 PM.

3. Ladkhan temple

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.2 Kms

Visited From: Durga Temple (100 m)

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Place Location: Inside Durga Temple Complex

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 200 meters from Aihole Bus Stand and 100 meters south of Durga Temple, Ladkhan Temple is the oldest temple in Aihole believed to be built in 5th century by first Chalukyan ruler Pulakesi I. It is located inside the main enclosed complex of Aihole monuments. The temple is built in Mandapa style with plan roof.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple name is originated from Ladkhan, a Muslim general from Bijapur sultanate who stayed in the temple during their invasion of the region. Originally a Surya temple, the temple has a mukha-mandapa and a large sabha-mandapa. There is no separate garbhagriha in the temple and a stone booth is added to house the deity. 

The large pillars in the mukhamandapa have beautiful carvings of gods along with floral designs. The outer walls are also exhibit extensive designs of early Chalukyas. The sabhamandapa has a big bull at the center. Large plain pillars support the sabhamandapa. The inner sanctum houses a Shivalinga. The walls of sabhamandapa are accompanied by artistic lattice windows.

The roof has a small mandapa with an image of Surya. A nagara style sikhara was later added to the temple which collapsed at later point.

Complex Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entrance: Rs. 5, Rs. 25 for camera.

4. Ravanapahadi

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.8 Kms

Visited From: Aihole Bus Stand

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of about 800 meters from Aihole Bus Stand & Durga Temple Complex, Ravanapahadi is a wonderful rock-cut cave temple situated towards north-east side of Durga Temple.

Built in 6th century, the cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The exterior of the cave is simple with 4 pillars and dwarapalakas. The inner part of the cave has a rectangular verandah followed by a square hall and a garbhagriha. The major attraction of the cave is a carving of Lord Shiva with 10 hands in different Bharatanatya postures (a similar figure with 18 hands can be seen in Cave 1 of Badami). 

The other important carvings in the cave include Mahishasura Mardhini, Varaha carrying Bhudevi, Lord Shiva & Parvathi. The inner hall of the cave is mostly plain and the garbha-griha has a monolithic Shivalinga. Outside the cave, there is a platform with nicely carved Nandi. There are two stone mandapas outside the cave on both sides of the entrance. 

This temple is open till 6 PM.

5. Suryanarayana Gudi

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.2 Kms

Visited From: Durga Temple (100 m)

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Place Location: Inside Durga Temple Complex

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 200 meters from Aihole Bus Stand and 100 meters south of Durga Temple, Suryanarayana Gudi 7th / 8th century temple situated opposite to Ladkhan Temple.

Dedicated to God Surya, this temple is built in Rekhanagara style with curvilinear tower. The temple consists of a small mandapa with four pillars, rangamandapa with four tall pillars and 12 half pillars followed by the garbhagriha. The doorframe of the sanctum has an image of Garuda holding two snakes, Ganga, Yamuna and an image of Surya in seated posture. 

The sanctum has a statue of God Surya. The sanctum also has four pillars inside, which is a peculiar design. The sikhara is partially damaged.

Complex Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entrance: Rs. 5, Rs. 25 for camera.

6. Mallikarjuna Temple

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.5 Kms

Visited From: Durga Temple Complex (0.5 Kms)

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Place Location: Towards Meguti Temple, After Jyotirlinga Temples

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of about 500 meters from Aihole Bus Stand & Durga Temple Complex, Mallikarjuna Temples are a group of temples situated on the way to Meguti Jain Temple past Jyotirlinga Temple Complex.

The complex has several temples build in different styles ranging from small to medium. Some of these temples are preserved while a majority of them are still in ruins. Excavation and restoration work is going on for several temples.

The complex features few unique structures. One of the Phamsana style temples built on an elevated platform has a roof sliding down through the sikhara to entrance. One temple with collapsed sikhara has a small mukhamandapa which is closed on one side. The mukhamandapa and rangamandapa of the temple are separated by lattice design windows. 

There is a wonderfully built gateway in the center of the complex. There are also several large pillars scattered around the complex. The complex also comprises a large stepped temple tank in great condition.

The complex is open till 6 PM.

7. Meguti Jain Temple

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.8 Kms

Visited From: Mallikarjuna Temple Complex (300 m)

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins - 1 Hr

Place Location: On Hillock Near Mallikarjuna Temple Complex

Transportation Options: Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 800 meters from Aihole Bus Stand & Durga Temple Complex, Meguti Jain Temple is situated inside the fortified walls of Aihole fort on a hillock (past Buddhist Temple) south-east of Durga Temple Complex.

Constructed in 634 AD, Meguti Jain Temple is the only dated monument in Aihole. The temple has very valuable inscription in the form of poetry from the reign of Pulakesi II. The temple has two levels, ground level with a large pillared mukhamandapa with empty inner sanctum and a small shrine on top of it which can be reached through steps. The temple has seated figures of Jain teerthankaras. The construction of the temple appears to be incomplete.

One can have a panoramic view of the entire Aihole village and all the monuments of Aihole from the hilltop. The hill is supposed to be the site of Aihole Fort, but except the walls, none of the structures survive today.

From main road, the temple can be reached by a plight of steps that lead to the hill which can be accessed from Mallikarjuna Temple Complex or through the village. The approach road till the steps from main road is very dirty. 

There is a Bhuddist Temple few steps below the Meguti temple. The temple is two story structure with large pillared verandah with entrance to a large hall. The upper part of the temple can be accessed by the steps inside the hall in lower part of the temple. This is partly rock-cut temple with pillared structured extended at later point.

The outer walls are plain with a decorated doorway while the ceiling has carvings of Buddha in sitting posture. The temple was closed (as of Sep 2014), probably because of bats attacking visitors.

8. Galaganatha Temple

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 2.5 Kms

Visited From: Aihole Bus Stand

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins

Place Location: Close To Pattadakal Road

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of about 2.5 Kms from Aihole Bus Stand & Durga Temple Complex, Galaganatha Temples are a group of about 30 temples situated on the banks of Malaprabha River.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the complex has several medium and small temples. Built in Dravidian and Nagara styles, some of the temples have a Shivalinga though no active poojas are done here. One of the temples has a large hall with Nandi and Shivalinga in the sanctum. Pillars in the hall are nicely carved in round shape with several wonderfully engraved images of gods at the bottom of pillars. The hall and sanctum are separated by richly designed lattice windows.

To reach Galaganatha Temple Complex from Aihole, you have to go towards Pattadakal for 2 km and take diversion to the right towards the river and driver for 500 meters.

The complex is open till 6 PM.

9. Kunti Temple

Distance (From Aihole Bus Stand): 0.7 Kms

Visited From: Aihole Bus Stand

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Walk/Trek

Website: NA

Phone No: NA

Address: NA

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of about 700 meters from Aihole Bus Stand & Durga Temple Complex, Kunti Temple Complex consists of three temples. It is situated middle of Aihole village and not easily visible from the main road.

The temples believed to have built between 5th and 8th centuries have carved images of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma on the ceiling. One of the temples is faced toward east while the remaining two are west facing. The west facing temples are connected by a portico.

To reach the complex, go past Mallikarjuna temple complex for about 100 meters and take right turn on the main road. Kunti complex is about 50 meters from the main road.

The complex is open till 6 PM.