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Aihole has around one hundred temples; half the temples are within the fort and the other half outside. Thirty temples are in a single enclosure. The Chalukya and Rashtrakuta kings built the temples between the 6th and 12th centuries. Aihole is 131km north of Hampi, on the bank of the Malaprabha River.

Most of the temples were originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu but were later converted into Siva temples. Aihole used to be a big commercial center, but it has become a small town. You can see the remains of the massive city walls and gates. The Glorious Aihole booklet has a map showing the twenty-four main sites.

Central Complex
The central complex is near the bus stand and is enclosed by a wall. The main temple here is a Durga Temple. The temples are open from sunrise to sunset. Flash photography is prohibited.
Within the town is the Lad Khan Temple, originally a marriage mandapa (hall) and a royal assembly hall built in the 7th century. It received its name when a Muslim prince, Lad Khan, used it as his home.

A stone ladder leads to a shrine with sculptures of Vishnu, Siva, and Surya on the walls.
The Durga Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, dates back to the late 7th century. It took its name from the Kannada word “durgadagadi” or “temple near the fort.” The temple has excellent sculptures, including sculptures of Narasimha, Vishnu with Garuda, Harihara, and Varaha. It has relief panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Maha-bharata.

The Gaudar Gudi, Chakra Gudi, Kunti Group, Hucchappayya Math, and Hallibasappa are all within the town and date from the 7th to the 10th centuries.

Northeast Temples
If you leave the enclosed temple area and then turn right, you come to the Chikki Temple, which has particularly well-carved pillars.

If you turn left from the main entrance you come to the Ravana Phadi Temple (300m from the village), a 6th century cave temple located southeast of the Huchimalli Temple. It has some exceptionally fine sculptures, including one of Nataraja (dancing Siva), Ganesh, and Ardhanari. It also has an ornate decorated ceiling.

The Huchimalli Gudi and Mallikarjuna Group, dating from the 7th to 11th centuries, are located northeast of town.

South Temples
There is an ancient Jain Cave and the Hucchappayya Gudi Temple (7th century) south of town. On the hill in the southeast part of town is the partly rock-cut, two-storey Buddhist Temple and the Meguti Jain Temple, both dating from the 7th century. These are some of the oldest temples in India.

There is an Archaeological Museum with a collection of 7th and 8th centuries Chalukyan sculptures. Open daily except Fri 10 am to 5 pm.

Practicalities
The KSTDC Tourist Rest House (74641) is a small, clean, passable place to stay and eat. Rooms with bath are Rs 60/80.

There are regular buses to Badami (2 hr) and Pattadakal (30 min). The closest railway stations are in Badami and Bagalkot, on the Hubli-Solapur metre-gauge line. .

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