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Aihoḷe is a temple complex in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India.

It is a very
popular tourist spot in north Karnataka. It lies to the east of Pattadakal, along the
Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both.

Aihoḷe has the potential to be included as a UNESCO World heritage site. Aihoḷe is
510 km from Bangalore and 26 km from Hungund by road. Aihoḷe is one of the most
notable places in the history of art of Karnataka. Aihoḷe was known as Ayyavoḷe and
Aryapura in its inscriptions. It was a prominent city of the Chalukya Dynasty. A place
known by the name Morera Angadigalu near the Meguti hillocks has a large number of
cists of pre-historic period. The place was an agraharam. The village has 125 temples
divided into 22 groups by the archaeological department. Aihoḷe has been described as
one of the cradles of temple architecture. Of late some brick structures of pre-
Chalukyan times have also been excavated. It must have been a great ancient city, a
commercial centre as well, with the federation of trade guilds having its headquarters
here.

Temples of Aihole

1. Durga temple complex 10. Buddhist temple, Meguti temple


2. Lad Khan Temple 11. Hucchappayya Math Complex
3. Ambigera Gudi complex 12. Kunti temples complex
4. Mallikarjuna temple complex 13. Charantimath complex
5. Chikki temple 14. Tryambakesvara group
6. Rachi temple 15. Gauri temple
7. Eniyar temples complex 16. Jaina temples in the village
8. Hucchimalli temple complex 17. Rock-cut Jain Basadi
9. Ravanaphadi rock-cut temple
18. Ramlingesvara Temple Complex
19. Galaganatha Temple Complex

History

Early inscriptions call this town Āryapura and Ārya-vole.[2] According to mythology
Aihole is the place where Parashurama washed his axe after killing the Kshatriyas.
Aihole has historical significance and is called as cradle of Hindu rock architecture
(Cradle of Indian architecture). Many temples and caves of historical importance can
be found at Aihole.

Aihole was the first capital of the early Chalukyas.[4] Here they built over 125
temples in various styles and is said to be a laboratory of experiments in rock cut
architecture. Pulakesi I, one of the greatest rulers of this dynasty, moved the capital
to Badami nearby. Badami was then known as Vatapi. It is from these temples that
the Chalukyas gained their experience and went on to build the great temples of
Pattadakal. The first phase of temple building in Aihole dates back to the 6th century
CE, the second phase up to the 12th century CE. Some temples were even built as
early as the 5th century CE.

Aihole inscription

The famous Badami Chalukyas King Pulakeshi II (610-642 A.D.) was a follower of
Vaishnavism. The inscription of Ravikirti, his court poet, is a eulogy of the Pulakeshi
II and is available at the Meguti temple. It is dated 634 CE and is written in Sanskrit
language and old Kannada script. The Aihole inscription describes the achievements
of Pulakeshi II and his victory against King Harshavardhana. Aihole inscription of
Pulakesin II mentioned as akrantatma-balonnatim Pallavanam patim, that means the
Pallavas had attempted to nip in the bud the rise of the Badami Chalukyas. The
conflict of the two powers before the campaign of Pulakesin II against the Pallavas.
Inscription which prepared by Pulakeshi II (634 AD) found in the Jain Temple at
Aihole, that all the scholars have relied on this inscription related to Mahabharath
War and Kaliyuga. In the Aihole inscription referred that Mangalesha's
(Paramabhagavat) victory over the Kalachuris and the conquest of Revatidvipa.
According to the Aihole inscription of Pulakeshin II, a civil war between Mangalesha
and Pulakeshin II, due to Mangalesa's attempt to secure the succession for his own
son, which was the end of Mangalesha's reign. In inscription of Amoghavarsha I
found at Aihole, mentioned about his new administration (navarajyam geyye).

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