Temples of Aihole in Bagalkot Karnataka: a Photo Essay
Cluster of temples of Aihole, located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, beautifully carved date back to the 6th century. When I say cluster, it is not 10 or 20 but 120 to 130 temples scattered in a rocky land of 7km radius.
Each temple has a unique Chalukyan architecture. We spent more than 3 hours scouring the temple for the visual delights. Here is a photo essay on Temples of Aihole.
Aihole is cradle of south Indian Hindu temple architecture.
Oldest Hindu temple in India
Mundeshwari temple, located in Kaimur District of Bihar, is the oldest Hindu temple in India. It is still functioning. Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has restored it and its construction probably dated back tom108 AD.
Temples of Aihole a Photo Essay
Describing these temples, each one a gem, would run into pages and yet I can hardly do justice. Presenting here pictures of some of the popular and better maintained temples of Aihole.
Durga Temple Aihole
The Durga temple near the entrance to the main temple complex has a ‘U’ shaped structure, thought to imitate the Buddhist chaitya halls. And we were told this is the temple which inspired the architectural plans of India’s parliament building.
The Durga Temple Aihole is quadrilateral in shape. To be more precise the contour of the temple exhibits the Gajaprasta style, that is, the backside of an elephant, explained the guide. Architectural details include numerous pillar reliefs which are typical of Chalukya architectural style.
We entered through the porch, explored the rooms of the temple and the Garba Griha, the main part of the shrine where the spirit of the shrine is located. Two main pillars of the temple are the Mukha Mantapa and the Sabha Mantapa.
The walls of the Durga Temple are decorated with sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Important sculptures: Narashima Dev, Goddess Chamundi and Shivji are main attractions of the Durga Temple. Do take note of the seven headed serpent carved at the ceiling of the Durga Temple.
An elaborately decorated building, Goddess Durga is not worshiped here. It is dedicated to temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu and Shiva. The name Durga comes from ‘Durgadagudi’ meaning the temple near the fort and is a part of the fortification of the Marathas.
Sadly the temple is no more in use and hence regular rituals and worship are not performed at this shrine like it used to be once. You can enter the temple premises from morning till dusk.
The Durga Temple is just a heritage site for visit and hence the tradition of distributing the prasada after worship is no more practiced. No specific dress code need to be followed by the tourists to visit the temple. But for comfort, as the climate is hot and humid, light clothes are suggested. Festivals are not celebrated here.
Durga Temple Aihole Karnataka
Lad Khan Temple Aihole
The other important temple in this complex is the Lad Khan temple. It is the oldest temple of Aihole dating back to 5th century.
We were surprised by the Muslim name to the Hindu temple. The guide then told us that it actually was a royal assembly hall where Pulakeshan I had performed the horse sacrifice and later used for religious functions also.
A Muslim official ‘Lad Khan’ used the building as his residence, since then the building got this name.
There are many other temples scattered around. Some of them hardly had any demarcation from the local houses.
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has done some restoration work to some of the buildings. Aihole has the potential to be included as a UNESCO World heritage site, it is in the tentative list now.
Huchchappayana Matha Aihole
This has a temple and a matha (residence of monks). The carvings on the pillars and walls of this temple are exquisite. Notice the couple on right side of the door frame – the woman has horse’s head- indicating ‘love is blind’.
Women on the panels are sculpted forms of Ganga and Yamuna. Inside it isn’t lit well, but we could see in faint light the ceiling has good sculpted works. Take a torch along.
Pillars of the matha, a east facing shrine are plain.
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- Huchchappayana Matha
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- Huchchappayana Temple Interiors
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- Huchchappayana Temple
Huchchappayana Temple – horse headed woman
Galaganatha Temples in Aihole Photo Essay
There must be at least 20 to 25 temples in various states of ruined condition within this complex. Not a single soul around, we explored this at leisure.
The idols are missing but they were all dedicated to Lord Shiva, the statue of Nandi at entrance proof of that. Shikharas missing, they seemed flat roofed.
Many of them have square plan with thick walls all around. Some had small window for ventilation and light.
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- Galaganatha group of temples Aihole
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- Galaganatha Temple – a richly sculpted Torana
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- Galaganatha Temple – A damaged sculpture of Basavanna sits in the middle of a courtyard
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- Galaganatha Temple – entrance to one of the temples
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- Galaganatha Temple – most temples have no shikhara
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- Galaganatha Temple – carved flanks besides the steps is a common feature to many temples of Aihole.
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- Galaganatha Temple – richly sculpted doorway
How to reach Temples of Aihole
Hubli Airport is the closest airport. The nearest rail heads are at Bagalkot and Badami. Aihole is connected by road with Pattadakkal (19 km), Badami and Bangalore.
Best time to visit is from October to February.
It is difficult to see all temples in one day. A good deal of planning is needed if you wish to cover all. And with no hotels in vicinity, nearest one being 44km away you will have to make several to and fro trips.
Open Timings of Temples of Aihole
All temples are open from 6am to 6pm. Aihole is still a village. There are no hotels within the huge complex. There are vendors with carts of tender coconuts, groundnut fry, seasonal fruits and small eats.
This is the post I was looking for . Actually somebody write a comment on my post “http://yogi-saraswat.blogspot.in/2017/02/bateshwar-temples-morena.html” that same cluster of temples is found in Aihole too and since then I was looking for it . Beautifully narrated post as always Indrani ji . I would be happy if you visit my post and compare both places.
The number of cluster rocks!!
Yes, the U shape is similar to parliament building! The place looks delight and neat, must appreciate ASI to make this place more worth. nice post indrani!
This is really amazing. 120-130 temples in a cluster with such beautiful sculptures must be great experience visiting… Nice Post!
information with photo. nice work.
That was some new information about the old world. The inspiration for the Parliament Building is amazing.
So much of untold history lying around waiting to be dusted and peered into. Thank You for having the eye for that, that which make us see too.
130 temples! I could spend all day roaming. Thanks again for sharing.
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Another Amazing post!
Indrani, your posts are simply invincible…
Incredible photographs along with informative line…Great work!
Great builders of the past and their works are surely a testimony of their skills.
Once again, you have brought history alive with your words and pictures. Thank you.
Quite a well thought out write up and pictures…It's informative and beautiful…loved it…thank you for sharing India with us.
Your Canadian friend
I am always amazed at the work of the peoples from our past.
Very intricate !
Beautiful side of the world
Wow! I do wish they include it. It deserves to be, that is why. I am amazed and fascinated with such splendid works of art that bore witness to a time or part of the culture that has left its mark in eternity. I would love to visit these temples.
So lovely sculpture,
its so special :)))))
Those temples are very beautiful!!!
Thanks for the fantastic shots
and your nice words.
I always enjoyed your post:)
Its here 32grC pfffff…….
so hot weather, tomorrow 34grC 🙁
greetings
Kareltje =^.^=
Anya 🙂
oh lovely.. Indrani!! what a beautiful post. I wish I lived in India… I hope to visit this place some day!
the world is full of wonderful places that we can only see through the web…
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Great pics…..
Thanks for sharing
Beautiful. You bring us to the most incredible places.
Great space! Very interesting pictures!
Hi Indrani,
That's too good… Aihole is one of my fav. places in the 'TO VISIT SOON' list… 🙂
My Travelogue
a really amazing structure. your country really has rich culture. i hope i can explore it sometime.
Now that's impressive architecture!
And so it should become a world heeeeeritage siste. Lovely feeling about it that comes across easily in the photos!
So beautiful. To think all this was conceived and constructed in ancient times!
that temple must've been truly amazing during its heyday!
been to this place many years ago and now we are researching on a trail ..good to revisit the place again through yr blog
I enjoyed see your wonderful photos of this historical place, Indrani. Thanks for sharing your world with us.
I don't like the sound of the horse sacrifice, but, what a fabulously interesting area.
So many amazing and unique temples! How wonderful to explore these old old artifacts.
India has a much older culture than we in the north of Europe have. Your buildings were already so sophisticated, when we still lived in huts. Thanks for sharing this post.
Hi Indrani!
Lovely place, wonderful post… One more site to put in my list!!
Blogtrotter is leaving Iceland, but before departing it shows you the incredible Blue Lagoon. Enjoy and have a fabulous week!
Such a rich heritage.
130 temples in a 5 mile radius? That's a lot of building and a lot of worshiping. But I guess it kept the local population busy with construction. Lovely photos.
They are beautiful Indrani, again reminding me of Angkor, Cambodia. Hope you are doing fine and well, hugs/M
that indeed is amazing! had heard of aihole before but this is the 1st time that i read about it in such concise yet exhaustive terms!thank you so much!
Thanks all of you for the lovely comments. 🙂
Hey Sujata, I travel during school vacations. 🙂
the first pic definitely looks like our parliament.and naming a temple after a muslim general does speak a lot about the unity of cultures in the past. Beautiful post once again..I keep asking you but havent got an answer yet..how do you get the time to travel so much?
Lovely high relief sculptures on this temple.
Lovely high relief sculptures on this temple.
6th century? So long already. They're well preserved.
It is always an adventure for me to see these magnificent Temples. As always I have enjoyed your posts.
Indrani, how I'd like to see in person these fascinating temples! What fine places!
I've enjoyed the whole sequence of images!
What a facinating place. I suspect one could spend days exploring. So very different than my Green Creek. The world is full of wonderful places.
130 temples? 3 hours in that heat? Huh, that makes me tired already but I would spend even more time there snapping away.
Love the rich history and cultures of your country. These beatiful sculptures and buildings are really interesting and beautiful. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Are you visiting my country? Hope you have fun if you come here. Do visit all the malls and places of interests. Hope the information in my blog helps you in your travel plan.
beautiful pics, and what work!!! really, theres nothing to beat ancient indian temple architecture and sculpture…..
Despite spending 5+years in Bangalore, I have not been able to cover very many places in Karnataka. But it's simply great to read about all those places.
Thanks for refreshing the memory. I had been long back.
That looks like yet another wonderful place. Thanks.
That is a nice trivia about the U shaped Durga temple being the inspiration for our Parliament building.
Indrani,
Wonderful post. I love to see photos of the temples. Beautiful shots. Hope Aihole makes a UNSECO heritage site.
my native place being Karnataka…its one place ive barely opened my eyes to…ur posts get the yearning out of me.
With so much intriguing architecture, no wonder you spent 3 hours there! Do your loved ones share your love for photography, Indrani?
You always manage to show us something really fascinating. India is so wealthy of historical reminders.
What an interesting place. The photos are fantastic, but I would LOVE to see this in person!
Yet another wonderful tour. So many temples in such a small area. I always like the carvings.
There are so many amazing places in India. Thanks for sharing. This post is really good.
There are so many amazing places in India. Thanks for sharing. This post is really good.
Those are beautiful temples. I love the bas relief sculpture.