Aihole

Aihoḷe is one of the most notable places in the history of art of Karnataka.Aihoḷe was known as Ayyavoḷe andAryapura in its inscriptions. It was a prominent city of the Chalukya Dynasty. A place known by the name Morera Angadigalu near the Meguti hillocks has a large number of cists of pre-historic period. The place was an agraharam. The village has 125 temples divided into 22 groups by the archaeological department. Aihoḷe has been described as one of the cradles of temple architecture. Of late some brick structures of pre-Chalukyan times have also been excavated. It must have been a great ancient city, a commercial centre as well, with the federation of trade guilds having its headquarters here.In the 17th century, Aurangzeb annexed the Deccan and made it a part of the Mughal Empire and Aihole, as a part of that region, came under the Mughal rule.The early Chalukya dynasty was ousted by its own district officers, the Rashtrakutas in AD 757. Later on, Aihole became a part of the Bahmani and other local Muslim dynasties.

Early inscriptions call this town Aryapura and Arya-vole. According to mythology Aihole is the place where Parashurama washed his axe after killing the Kshatriyas.Aihole has historical significance and is called as cradle of Hindu rock architecture Many temples and caves of historical importance can be found at Aihole.

Aihole was the first capital of the early Chalukyas. Here they built over 125 temples in various styles and is said to be a laboratory of experiments in rock cut architecture.Pulakesi I, one of the greatest rulers of this dynasty, moved the capital to Badami nearby.Badami was then known as Vatapi. It is from these temples that the Chalukyas gained their experience and went on to build the great temples of Pattadakal. The first phase of temple building in Aihole dates back to the 6th century A.D, the second phase up to the 12th century A.D. Some temples were even built as early as the 5th century A.D

In Aihole dominant religion was Shaivism of the Pashpata-Kalamukha school. Other currents and religions are also present, Buddhist and Jaina.