File:Aihole, Durga Temple (9842647605).jpg

Aihole, Durga Temple

Aihole is a village having a historic temple complex in the state of Karnataka, India. It is known for Chalukyan architecture, with about 125 stone temples dating from the 5th century CE. It lies to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both.

The Durga temple, a former Hindu temple, was built between the 7th and the 8th century by the dynasty of the Chalukyas. The architecture of the temple is predominantly Dravida with Nagara style in certain areas. The Durga Temple is considered a unique and magnificent temple of the Chalukyan period.

The origin of the name is not the Durga goddess, but a fortress, maybe an enclosure which surrounded the temple or it was a part of fortification, probably of Maratha rulers.

It is dedicated to either Vishnu or Shiva as the representations of Vishnu are as numerous as those of Shiva. The most original feature of the temple is a peristyle delimiting an ambulatory around the temple itself and whose walls are covered with sculptures of different gods or goddesses.

Two staircases provide access to the porch at the entrance of the temple itself. The sober and square pillars are decorated with characters around the porch and the entrance to the peristyle. The parapet is carved with niches and small animals. The porch gives access to rooms with pillars ('mukhamantapa' and "sabhamantapa") to get into the heart of the shrine (garba griha).