Aihole is a glorious part of India and a trip to this great center of
medieval Indian art and architecture would make you aware of a great
heritage. Aihole is situated on the banks of the river Malaprabha. The
cave temple of Ravana Phadi stands all by itself backed against the
rocky hill out of which it has been carved. Plan your trip to Aihole and
fix your date with history.
All across Karnataka, invaders, conquerors and dynasties have come and
gone. They have left their imprint on the land, its people and their
folkways. Nowhere is this more evident than at Aihole in Northern
Karnataka.
The Chalukya Dynasty was founded by Pulakesin I, or the Great Lion,
in AD 543. In all likelihood, his family was feudatories of the
earlier Kadamba dynasty before they declared their independence from
their former lords.
This period saw the construction of great
architectural wonders not only at Aihole but the whole region including
Badami, Pattadakal, and other places. Its own district officers, the
Rashtrakutas in AD 757, ousted the early Chalukya dynasty. Later on,
Aihole became a part of the Bahmani and other local Muslim dynasties. In
the 17th century, Aurangzeb annexed the Deccan and made it a part of the
Mughal Empire and Aihole, as a part of that region, came under the
Mughal rule.
How
to Reach Ailhole
Rail: The nearest railway station is Badami.
Road: Ailhole is connected by road to: Pattadkal (17kms),
Badami (46 kms), Bangalore (483 kms).
Local Transport: Cycle Rickshaws, Bus Service
Prime Attractions in and around Ailhole
Ailhole, the earliest capital of the Chalukyas, a picturesque
village nestling on the banks of the Malaprabha river and overflowing
with clusters of the most beautiful temples. Ailhole has over a hundred
temples scattered around the village. The sculptures of Ailhole temples
have superb architecture. Wherever one looks, it is temples that meet
the eyes. Intricately carved, rich in detail, quiet and peaceful. 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 semicircular apes, elevated
plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. The interior is filled
with fascinating carvings. Chamundi Devi trampling the buffalo demon,
Narasimha - the half-man, half-female deity. Then there is image of the
fearsome Mahishasuramardini or the Mother Goddess Durga destroying the
demon Mahisha.
The Huthimalli Temple - out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu
sitting atop a large cobra. Dating back to the 6th century, the
Ravalpathi Cave cave-temple celebrates the many forms of Lord Shiva.
This cave is well worth a long visit. Inside the cave is the beautiful
statue of dancing Shiva who seems to be trembling with motion.
Not-to-be-missed is the Konthis Temple Complex (Kwanthi Gudi), the Uma
Maheshwari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple and the two-storeyed Buddhist
Temple.
Climb up the stairs and you will come across a tranquil, smiling Buddha
carved on the ceiling. In the main Aihole temple complex there are about
a hundred shrines, large and small, dotted all across this abandoned
capital of the Chalukyas though only a few of them are in the fenced
area. Of particular interest is the Durg Temple, which is not only the
most decorated monument in Aihole, but it is also famous as an imitation
of a Buddhist rock-cut Chaitya hall.
Tour Packages of Aihole
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Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destination: Bombay - Goa - Belgaum - Badami - Aihole -
Hospet - Hassan - Madikeri - Mysore - Bangalore - Mumbai.
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