Aihole, located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka is kown for historical significance and is called as cradle of Hindu rock architecture. Many temples and caves of historical importance can be found here and thus is a very popular tourist spot in north Karnataka. Aihole was the first capital of the early Chalukyas. Here they built over 125 temples in various styles and is said to be a laboratory of experiments in rock cut architecture. See wikipediafor more details. The first phase of temple building in Aihole dates back to the 6th century CE, the second phase to the 12th century.
A group of three temples is referred to as the Kontigudi group of temples. One of these is the Lad Khan temple, named after a mendicant that lived in this temple in the 19th century , another the Huchiappayyagudi temple and the Huchiappayya math. Other temples include Durga temple, Meguti Jain temple, Ravanaphadi temple, Gowda temple and Suryanarayana temple. Museum & Art Gallery is a sculpture gallery maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India in the Durga Temple complex.
My trip log
We left from Kudalasangama at 11 am reached Aihole at 11.45 am. There are no parking lots and one has to find a tree shade to park the car. Even though there are no facilities for car parking, Gram panchayat colects parking fee. Archaeological Survey of India, who maintains the Durga Temple complex collects a nominal entry fee. The place is neat and well looked after. The carving on the temples are marvellous and discerning visitors can spend a lot of time marvelling at the sculptures in the temples. A guide would be handy but a prior visit to wikipedia would not necessitate one. There are more temples in the neighbourhood, many in dilapidated conditions. More excavations is ongoing and new temples are being found.
To reach the Meguti jain temple one has to climb several steps. All the effort in climbing the steps is overcome by the sheer sight of aihole the place offers. Reaching the foot of the stairs is through a small strip of extremely bad road. It is wise to leave the car by the main road under hot sun than driving along this strip. Parking the car can be problem as vehicle can't reach the base of the steps and kids in the neighbourhood might damage the car. Carry adequate water and wear cap to protect from the sun.
Flash video of Aihole photos:
Distance chart:
Kudalasangama to Aihole: 33 Kms
Places to vist next include Pattadkal, Banashankari and Badami.
A group of three temples is referred to as the Kontigudi group of temples. One of these is the Lad Khan temple, named after a mendicant that lived in this temple in the 19th century , another the Huchiappayyagudi temple and the Huchiappayya math. Other temples include Durga temple, Meguti Jain temple, Ravanaphadi temple, Gowda temple and Suryanarayana temple. Museum & Art Gallery is a sculpture gallery maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India in the Durga Temple complex.
My trip log
We left from Kudalasangama at 11 am reached Aihole at 11.45 am. There are no parking lots and one has to find a tree shade to park the car. Even though there are no facilities for car parking, Gram panchayat colects parking fee. Archaeological Survey of India, who maintains the Durga Temple complex collects a nominal entry fee. The place is neat and well looked after. The carving on the temples are marvellous and discerning visitors can spend a lot of time marvelling at the sculptures in the temples. A guide would be handy but a prior visit to wikipedia would not necessitate one. There are more temples in the neighbourhood, many in dilapidated conditions. More excavations is ongoing and new temples are being found.
To reach the Meguti jain temple one has to climb several steps. All the effort in climbing the steps is overcome by the sheer sight of aihole the place offers. Reaching the foot of the stairs is through a small strip of extremely bad road. It is wise to leave the car by the main road under hot sun than driving along this strip. Parking the car can be problem as vehicle can't reach the base of the steps and kids in the neighbourhood might damage the car. Carry adequate water and wear cap to protect from the sun.
Flash video of Aihole photos:
Distance chart:
Kudalasangama to Aihole: 33 Kms
Places to vist next include Pattadkal, Banashankari and Badami.
