Temples in Aihole
Durga Temple
The central complex is near the bus stand and is enclosed by a wall. The main temple here is the Durga Temple. The temples are open from sunrise to sunset. Flash photography is prohibited.
Within the town there are many temples, including the Lad Khan Temple, which was originally a marriage mandapa (hall) and a royal assembly hall built in the 7th century. It got this names because a Muslim prince, Lad Khan, used it as his home. A stone ladder leads to a shrine with sculptures of Vishnu, Siva, and Surya on its walls.
The Durga Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, dates back to the late 7th century. It gets its name from the Kannada word "durgadagadi" or "temple near the fort". The temple has many excellent sculptures, including Narasimha, Vishnu with Garuda, Harihara, and Varaha. It has relief panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The Gaudar Gudi, Chakra Gudi, Kunti Group, Hucchappayya Matha, and Hallibasappa are all within the town and date from the 7th to 10th century.
Northeast Temples
As you leave the enclosed area of temples and you turn right, you come to the Chikki Temple, which has particularly well-carved pillars.
If you turn left from the main entrance, you come to the Ravana Phadi Temple (300m from the village), which is a 6th century cave temple located southeast of the Huchimalli Temple. It has some exceptionally fine sculptures including Nataraja, or dancing Siva, Ganesh, and Ardharari. It also has a highly decorated ceiling.
The Huchimalli Gudi and Mallikarjuna Group, dating from the 7th to 11th century, are located northeast of town.
South Temples
There is an ancient Jain cave and the Hucchappayya Gudi Temple (7th century) south of town. On the hill in the southeast part of town is the partly rock-cut two-story Buddhist Temple and the Meguti Jain Temple, both dating from the 7th century.
There is an Archaeological Museum with a collection of 7th and 8th century Chalukyan sculptures.
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