Famous as the 'Cradle of Indian Architecture', Aihole has over a hundred temples, scattered around the village.

Cave Temples
Badami is another timeless monument to the Karnataka’s love towards Art and Architecture. Badami houses lot of Temples of Lord Vishnu and Shiva with glorious carvings, is located between a lake and hills of Sand stone.

The Durga (Fort) Temple is notable for its semi-circular apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. Images of Chamundi Devi trampling the buffalo demon, Narasimha and Shiva abound here. There are fifty temples within the fort walls and fifty outside - fine examples of Hoysala, Buddhist, Jain, Dravida, Nagara and Rekhanagara styles.

The Hutchimalli Temple has a sculpture of Lord Vishnu sitting atop a cobra. The Ravana Phadi Cave dating back to the sixth century, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is cut from a large wedge of sandstone. Shiva in several forms is carved both inside and outside the cave. Other remarkable sites are the Konta Temple Complex of four temples, the Uma Maheswari Temple which houses a beautifully carved Brahma sitting on a lotus, the austere Jain Meguti Temple and the two-storeyed Buddhist Temple. Within the Buddhist shrine, is a tranquilly smiling Buddha on the ceiling, with the Bodhi Tree sprouting from his head.

How To Get There

By Rail : The nearest railhead is Bagalkot, 46 km from Bijapur.

By Road : Aihole is connected by road with Pattadakal (19 km), Badami (46 km), and Bangalore (483 km).

When To Visit

The best time to visit is from October to February. Summers tend to be very hot.

Where To Stay

Tourist Lodges

Karnataka Department of Tourism

Tel: 41 Amingad exchange

Tourist Rest House, Aihole (Tel : 08352-41)