Aihole is a peaceful village on the banks of the Malaprabha River. There are many beautiful and ancient places to visit in Aihole. The Durga Temple is the most notable, with a semicircular apse, an elevated platform, and a gallery encircling the shrine. The Lad Khan Temple is one of the region’s oldest temples, originally serving as a royal gathering hall and marriage mandapa. It was the preferred residence of the Muslim chief Lad Khan. Other major attractions in the area include the Huchimalli Temple, which features a sculpture of Lord Vishnu sitting atop a cobra; the Raven Phadi Cave Temple, which honours Lord Shiva’s various incarnations; the Konti Temple Complex; the Uma Maheshwari Temple; the Jain Meguti Temple, and the two-story Buddhist Temple.
Places To Visit In Aihole
Remember the following recommendations for organising a wonderful vacation in Aihole. Here is a selected list designed specifically for you to experience this ancient city.
1. Mallikarjuna Temple Complex
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Mallikarjuna Temples, located around 500 metres from Aihole Bus Stand and Durga Temple Complex, are a set of temples on the road to Meguti Jain Temple via Jyotirlinga Temple Complex. The complex contains multiple temples built in various styles, from modest to medium. Some of these temples have been saved, but most remain in ruins. Several temples are now being excavated and restored.
The complex has a few distinctive structures. One of the Phamsana-style temples erected on an elevated platform features a roof that slides through the sikhara to the entrance. Another temple with a collapsed sikhara features a little mukha mandapa that is shuttered on one side. The temple’s lattice-like windows separate its mukha mandapa and rangamandapa. The complex’s centre features a beautifully constructed entryway. There are several big pillars distributed throughout the compound. The compound also contains a massive stepped temple tank that is in excellent condition.
Distance (from Aihole Bus Stand): 0.5 kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 minutes or less
Place Location: Towards Meguti Temple
Transportation Options: Auto/Cab/Walk
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
Must Read: Temples In Bangalore
2. Galaganatha Temple Complex
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Galaganatha Temples are a series of over 30 temples located on the banks of the Malaprabha River, approximately 2.5 km from the Aihole Bus Stand and Durga Temple Complex. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the compound includes multiple medium and small temples. Some temples are built in Dravidian and Nagara styles and have a Shivalinga, albeit no active poojas are performed here.
One of the temples features a big hall with Nandi and Shivling in the sanctuary. The pillars in the hall are excellently carved in a spherical shape, with various beautifully engraved figures of gods at the bottom. Elaborately crafted lattice windows separate the hall and sanctum. To go to Galaganatha Temple Complex from Aihole, travel 2 kilometres towards Pattadakal before taking a right turn towards the river and driving for 500 metres.
Distance (from Aihole Bus Stand): 2.5 kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 min
Place Location: Close to Pattadakal Road
Transportation Options: Auto/Cab
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
3. Suryanarayana Gudi
Image Credit: Dr Murali Mohan Gurram for Wikimedia Commons
Suryanarayana Gudi, a 7th / 8th century temple located opposite Ladkhan Temple, approximately 200 metres from the Aihole Bus Stand and 100 metres south of Durga Temple. This temple, dedicated to the god Surya, is designed in the Rekha Nagara style and features a curvilinear tower. This is one of the must-visit Places to Visit in Aihole.
The temple comprises a tiny mandapa with four pillars, a rangamandira with four tall pillars, twelve half-pillars, and a garbhagriha. The sanctum’s door frame depicts Garuda holding two snakes, Ganga and Yamuna, and a depiction of Surya in sat posture. The sanctum contains a statue of God Surya. The sanctum also features four pillars, which is an unusual design. The sikhara was partially ruined.
Distance (from Aihole Bus Stand): 0.2 kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 minutes or less
Place Location: Inside Durga Temple Complex
Transportation Options: Auto/Cab/Walk
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Suggested Read: Achyutaraya Temple
4. Ambigara Gudi Complex
Image Credit: Dr Murali Mohan Gurram for Wikimedia Commons
Ambigara Gudi Complex is an ensemble of three temples directly across from Durga Temple Complex, less than 100 metres from Aihole Bus Stand. The shrine was named after Ambiger (boatsmen), who used to live nearby. The complex consists of one main temple in ruins and two smaller shrines. Its is among the beautiful Places to Visit in Aihole.
The main temple, thought to be a 10th-century structure, features a nagara-style shikhara with a mandapa and sanctuary. The mandapa has two entrances, and the ceiling features an engraved lotus image. Built on a raised platform, the temple features a carved door frame for the sanctum. The second temple is small, featuring shattered figures of Surya and Vishnu. The third temple is tiny and conventional, with no carvings or pictures.
Distance (from Aihole Bus Stand): 0.1 kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 minutes or less
Place Location: Opposite to Durga Temple
Transportation Options: Walk/Trek
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
5. Kunti Temple Complex
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Kunti Temple Complex, located approximately 700 metres from the Aihole Bus Stand and Durga Temple Complex, comprises three temples. It is located in the centre of Aihole village and is not clearly seen from the main road. It is one of the best Places to Visit in Aihole.
The ceilings of temples believed to have been built between the fifth and eighth centuries are sculpted with depictions of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. One temple faces east, while the other two face west. A portico connects the west-facing temples. To get to the complex, go about 100 metres past the Mallikarjuna temple complex and turn right into the main road. The Kunti compound is around 50 metres from the main road.
Distance (from Aihole Bus Stand): 0.7 kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 minutes or less
Place Location: Inside Durga Temple Complex
Transportation Options: Auto/Cab/Walk
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
Suggested Read: Matanga Hill
6. Kudalasangama
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Kudalasangama, located 35 km from Aihole, is a pilgrimage place in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district. One of the most renowned attractions in Aihole is the confluence of the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers. It can also be visited along with the Badami Tour Packages. Kudalasangama is famed for its 850-year-old Sangameswara temple, also known as Kudala Sangameswara, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built in the 12th century and is located on the banks of the Krishna River. It has been repaired multiple times.
The temple is built in Dravidian architecture, with a massive temple tower at the point of entry, followed by the main shrine, which has a porch, navrang, and sanctum. The garbhagriha’s door frame is elaborately carved with floral and animal patterns. In front of the temple, in the middle of the river, is a little stone mandapa with a Shivalinga, surrounded by a tall cement concrete dry well to preserve it from submersion. The temple’s sikhara is representative of the South Indian architectural style. The temple bears inscriptions from 1160 AD to 1213 AD.
Distance (from Aihole Bus Stand): 35 kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
Place Location: Nearby Aihole
Transportation Options: Auto/Cab/Bus
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Further Read: Shri Someshwara Swamy Temple
Now that you have a list of places to Visit in Aihole on your next trip to Karnataka, get in touch with the ancient temples. Accompanied by your loved ones, this experience will be more rewarding as you enjoy the historic pilgrimages. Note that you must visit places near Aihole now and enjoy the trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Aihole
If planning a vacation to Aihole, how many days will be required and what are the best staying options?
Make plans for Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal. These sites require a total of two days to explore. Badami Fort and Badami Caves can be visited in one day. One more day will be needed to visit Aihole and Pattadakal. The best spot to stay is Badami. In Badami, Clarks Inn and Badami Court are the best possibilities.
How to reach Aihole by flight?
There are no airports in Aihole. The nearest airport is in Hubli, 106 km distant. The other nearby airport is Belgaum, which is around 189 km away. One would need to take a taxi from Aihole to Belgaum for this. There are frequent flights to Hubli and Belgaum from locations such as Mumbai and Bangalore. Taxis are available for hire at both airports.
What are the options available for food near the temples?
There are no eateries in Aihole, so please pack your own meals. Roadside shacks provide tea, local foods, and buttermilk.
What are the timings of visiting the majority of the temples?
The timings range from 9 AM to 6 PM. The temples are open for all seven days of the week for tourists with nearby lodging options.
What are the entry fees for the temples?
The entry fees for some temples is Rs. 5 for Indian tourists, with camera one has to pay Rs. 25. The fee for foreign nationals is Rs. 100. Others are free of cost.
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