Aihole

Early inscriptions call this town Ayyavole and Aryapura. Aihole has its own historical significance and is called as cradle of ancient Hindu stone 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.

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 CE, the second phase up to the 12th century. Some temples were even built as early as the 5th century.