Fast Facts About Aihole

When to visit
Best season to visit Aihole is similar to Badami as it is about 40 km from Badami. You can choose to visit it between September and February. Avoid summers at any cost as they are unbearably hot.

Tourist Offices
KSTDC
Badami House, NR Square
Bangalore.
STD code- 08357

Aihole is famous as the 'Cradle Of Indian Architecture'. Located about 40 Kms from Badami, it had been the ancient capital of Chalukyas for more than 200 years. Aihole, a picturesque village nestling on the banks of the Malaprabha river is home to more than 125 temples, each intricately carved and rich in detail, scattered all around the village. These temples were built between the 6th -11th centuries and some of them even earlier. The Most important temple is the Durga Temple situated in the heart of Aihole. The interior of this temple is full of fascinating Carvings. Not to be missed spots here include the two-tiered Buddhist Temple, the Jain Meghuti Temple and the Museum behind the Durga Temple.

Other attractions in Aihole are Lad khan Temple, which is perhaps the oldest temple in the region dating back to 5th century. Hutchimalli Temple has a splendid sculpture of Lord Vishnu sitting atop a giant cobra, the Uma Maheswari Temple with a beautifully carved Brahma seated on a lotus and Ravalphadi Caves that is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

How to Reach There

Airport: The nearest airport is Belgaum about 160 km. Other important airport near Aihole is Bangalore about 480 km and the place is well connected by Indian Airlines flights to most parts of India.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Begalkot and Hubli about 130 km and the place is well connected by rail line to Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Road: Aihole is connected by road to Pattadakkal about17 km, Badami about41 km.

Hotels in Aihole

You can stay in Tourist Rest Houses of the Kerala Tourism Department.
South India Tours Hub offers tours to Aihole and Badami, a memorable journey to history of the Chalukyas. For more information or to book an Aihole tour please enter your query in the form below.