Located
on the banks of the Malaprabha River, the village of Aihole in Karnataka
is a veritable mélange of ancient Hindu temple architecture.
Hundreds of temple structures dot the serene surroundings of the village
and the fields nearby. During the reign of the Chalukyas, Aihole was the
first capital of the Chalukyan Empire. The name Aihole originated from a
legend associated with the cult figure of Parashurama in Hindu
mythology.The cluster of temples in Aihole belongs to two ages, first in the 6th and 7th centuries and the second set of temples belonging to the 12th and 13th centuries. The prominent temple groups are the Kontigudi group and the Galaganatha group. The Kontigudi group is a set of three temples consisting of the Lad Khan temple, Huchiappayyagudi temple and the Huchiappayya math.
The Galaganatha group has nearly 30 temples scattered on the bank of the river Malaprabha. Galaganatha temples are characterized by a curvilinear shikhara above the Garba Griha and images of the deities of Ganga and Yamuna at the entrance to the shrine.
Devotees travel to this quaint village in large numbers. The magnificent temples of Aihole should be promoted in the media to tap their tourism potential.
