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

The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th century. This temple was originally a royal assembly hall and marriage mandapa and was chosen as the abode of a Muslim prince, Lad Khan. 

The unusual Durga Temple
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.

Ravana Phadi cave
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.

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).

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

Tourist Lodges

Karnataka Department of Tourism
Tel: 41 Amingad exchange

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

Situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha river, Pattadakal - the last Chalukyan capital, and now, a world heritage centre - has ten major temples, representing early Chalukyan architecture. The biggest temple here, dedicated to Virupaksha, has a massive gateway, and several inscriptions. In front of the temple is a majestic 2.6 m high Nandi, in deep green stone, covered in a floral red cape. 

Exquisitely chiselled, the Papanatha, Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna temples are prime specimens of early Chalukyan sculptural art. The earliest experiment here is a brick-pillared mandapa (3rd-4th century) in front of the Sangameswara Temple. The latest is a Jain Temple (9th century AD) from the Rashtrakuta period. The Rekhanagara and Prasada styles can be seen together with the Dravida Vimana style. The stone used here is sandstone with a beautiful pink tinge, that almost catches fire as it were, as the sun sets. Scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagvata Purana are depicted in these temples.

By Rail : The nearest railhead is Badami (29 km).

By Road : Pattadakal is connected by road with Badami (29 km), Bijapur (17 km) and Aihole (17 km).