Location: - It lies in Northern Part of Karnataka state, 43 Kms from Kundala Sangama, connected by road to Badami (46 Kms), Pattadakal (17 kms), Banglore (438 Kms). The nearest Airport is Belagum and the nearest Railway Station is Bagalkot on the Hubli – Sholapur rails route.

The locals prefer to call it as Ayyavole or as Aryapura.

The Aihole was the former capital of Chalukya dynasty. The chalukya dynasty began in the mid-fifth century A.D. and certain of its descendants were still in power in 1200. The Capitals at Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal, saw the construction of a fabulous series of monuments. The chalukya territory lay between Kanchipuram and Ellora and constituted a centre of influence in medieval Indian art. Many artistic innovations originated here and spread their influence far and wide, while the contributions of the Pallavas in the south and of Orissa in the north – east were absorbed into Chalukya art along with northern influences.

There are about 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered all over the villages and nearby fields. The most important temples are

Ladh Khan Temple: - the first constructed 600 – 650, owes its name to a Muslim hermit or official (may be official turned into hermit), who took up residence in the nineteenth century. It is pleasing to note that there are no fanatics in Karnataka who wants to destroy the temple because of the Muslim name, neither are there any lunatics as in Tamil Nadu who destroyed the Statue of kannagi at marina beach, as it is not tolerating the corruption’s of individuals. The Durga temple: - Fascinating carvings of Chamundi Devi trampling the buffalo demon, Narasimha the half-man-half-lion god, the Ardhanan, half man and half women deity, Mahishasura Mardini and many more sculptures can be seen here. Hutchimalli temple: - The temple on the outskirts of the village has sculptures of the lord Vishnu sitting atop large cobra.

Best Time to Visit: - Anytime from October to February

How best to travel; - It depends on your budget and the number of people, and your starting point. We left Madras on 22/12/2002 by Chennai Central Banglore express (6023) leaving Chennai Central station at 1300 hrs reaching Banglore at 2005, travelled by air condition CC class (fare IRs 266). You must be prepared to for the suffocating dust at Banglore station; my friends suffered from this suffocating dust. I have never seen a dusty place like this anywhere. We changed on to Banglore Hubli / Nanded Hampi express (6592) leaving Banglore at 2200 hrs. The 2A birth was very comfortable. We got down at Hospet at 0750 AM, the car from Hotel Malligihome (malligihome@hotmail.com) picked us from the station and took us to the hotel. I was shocked to see such a beautiful and comfortable hotel for a relatively low price at Hampi. We visited Hampi (refer to my Article on Hampi) had a pleasant night at Hotel Malligihome, on 23trd early morning was dropped at the station, we took the same train to Gadag. At Gadag we were picked up by car from Hotel Mukambikai, visited Badami (read my article on Badami). On 24/12 we left early morning by car to Aihole and Pattadakal and then dropped at Gadag station to take the evening train to Banglore leaving Gadag at 1805. Though buses are much cheaper, car is more comfortable and is also very cheap in India.