Temple Address:-
Durga Temple Complex,
Aihole, Dist. Bagalkot, State Karnataka, India,
Pincode – 587 124.

History:-Aihole is a major archaeological site featuring over one hundred and twenty-five stone and cave temples spread along the Malaprabha river valley, in Bagalkot district of Karnataka state in India. Aihole is also referred to as Aivalli, Ahivolal or Aryapur. It is a historic site of ancient and medieval era Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments that date from the sixth century through the twelfth century CE. Over one hundred Aihole temples are Hindu, a few are Jain and one is Buddhist. These were built and coexisted in close proximity. The site is spread over about 5 square kilometres. The Hindu temples are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Surya and other Hindu deities. The Jain Basadi temples are dedicated to Mahavira, Parshvanatha, Neminatha and other Jain Tirthankaras. The Buddhist monument is a temple and small monastery.When Aihole was the Chalukyan capital, the rulers built over 125 temples in varying styles. The Chalukya king, Pulakesin II was an ardent follower of Jainism. During his reign, there was an architectural extravaganza not only at Aihole but also in the regions of Badami, Pattadakkal and other places. In the 17th century, Aurangzeb annexed the Deccan and Aihole too came under the Mughal rule. The Chalukya dynasty was ousted by their own district officers, the Rashtrakutas, in AD 757. Thus, gradually, Aihole became a part of the Bahmani and other local Muslim dynasties.

DURGA TEMPLE :-
The Durga temple complex consists of approx. seven Hindu monuments. The Durga temple is the best known and It has a misleading name because the temple is not named after the goddess Durga. According to one theory, it stands near the ruins of a fort-like enclosure or durg during a time of late medieval era Hindu Muslim conflict in the region. According to another local tradition, a stone rubble durg and lookout were assembled on its flat roof and locals, therefore, began calling it the Durga temple. The temple was originally dedicated to Hindu gods Surya and Vishnu. The temple was dated by early scholars to the 5th century CE but variously revised to be from between the late 6th and early 8th centuries.

The Durga temple is the principal attraction for Aihole visitors and iconic in its apsidal layout. This shape is similar to second or first century BCE Buddhist chaitya halls found in Ajanta Caves. The Durga temple stands on a high moulded adisthana and a damaged tower that had a curvilinear shikhara. The damaged tower's amalaka crown lies on the ground. A collonaded and covered ambulatory passage with major carvings runs around the sanctum. The mukhya mandapa/main hall and the sabha mandapa (community hall for functions) show intricate carvings.

The Durga temple reverentially displays gods and goddesses from Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism. The included near life-size statues include Shiva, Vishnu, Harihara (half Shiva, half Vishnu), Durga in her Mahishasura Mardini form killing the buffalo demon, goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, Brahma, Surya, avatars of Vishnu such as Varaha and Narasimha. The temple has friezes to tell the story of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Further, the temple has artwork showing scenes of daily life and couples, including several amorous couples in various stages of courtship and mithuna.


ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM:-
The Durga temple complex houses the Aihole Museum and Art Gallery, managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. The museum has an outdoor display of excavated statues, artwork, hero stones, and temple parts demolished in the past. It also has an indoor collection with best-preserved pieces of statues and temple parts found in the region. The collection includes images of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Brahma, Saraswati, Durga, Saptamatrika, Surya, Indra, and others. The life-size Lajja Gauri with lotus head, found in Aihole, is a part of the indoor collection.

Other Monuments/Temples in this complex:-
1. PUSHKARANI
2. DURGA TEMPLE GATEWAY
3. CHAPPARA GUDI TEMPLE
4. NADYAR GUDI TEMPLE
5. SURYANARAYANA GUDI TEMPLE
6.LADKHAN TEMPLE
7. GAUDARA GUDI TEMPLE
8.CHAKRA GUDI TEMPLE
9.BADIGER GUDI TEMPLE

Accessibility:-
The nearest airport is Belgaum which is 190 km from Aihole. There are regular flights to Belgaum from all major cities in the country. The nearest railway station is Bagalkot, which is 34 km from Aihole. There are several direct trains to Bagalkot from all major cities in the country. Aihole is connected by road to Pattadakal (17 km), Badami (44 km) and Bangalore (490 km).

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