ಐಹೊಳೆ

Aihole - Aivalli - Ahivolal - Aryapura


Useful Information

Location: Aihole, Bagalkot
(16.018889, 75.881944)
Open:  
Fee:  
Classification: SubterraneaCave Church
Light: bring torch
Dimension: A=810 m asl, Ar=5 km²
Guided tours:  
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: Ramesh Shankar Gupte (1967): The Art and Architecture of Aihole: A Study of Early Chalukyan Art Through Temple Architecture and Sculpture D.B. Taraporevala. OCLC 327494. online
George Michell (2014): Temple Architecture and Art of the Early Chalukyas: Badami, Mahakuta, Aihole, Pattadakal Niyogi Books. ISBN 978-93-83098-33-0. online
George Michell (2017): Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal Jaico (Reprinted, Orig Year: 2011). ISBN 978-81-8495-600-9. online
Address: Aihole.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History


Description

ಐಹೊಳೆ (Aihole, pronounced "Eye-hoḷé") and is a sort of temple district with ancient and medieval era Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples. Most of the temples are built from the local rocks, but there are several rock-cut temples or cave temples.

Ravanaphadi cave, also Ravana Phadi cave, is one of the oldest rock-cut cave temples in Aihole, dating to the 6th century. It is stylistically unique in the Aihole region and the closest artwork and style is found in the Rameshwara cave at Ellora. The cave has an rectangular entrance with stone pillars and reliefs on both sides. The inside walls and ceiling are also covered with religious reliefs.

The Jain cave temple on the Meguti hill is likely from the late 6th century or early 7th century. The outside is a wall made of huge stone blocks without decorations, but the inside is intricately embellished. The cave has a side chamber.