Historic Sites of India and Southeast Asia

Crowning Aihole’s Meguti Hill is the Meguti Temple. Built about 635 CE, it is a Jaina temple dedicated to Arista Nemi (Mahavira). On its wall is a Sanskrit inscription that attributes it to Ravikirtti, during the reign of Pulakesi II. The temple is made of sandstone. It features a pillared mukhamandapa that may have been added few decades later, given its simpler style and how it seems inserted into the older original temple. It has a shikhara, but like most of Aihole temples, it was damaged and removed at some point in its history. The sanctum doorway of the Meguti Jaina temple features a simple pañcaśākhā frame. Part of the temple was modified into chambers for Jaina monks.  A Kushmandi image was discovered at the temple during its restoration. This is now at the Badami museum. The Meguti temple is plain and unadorned, except along its base with gavakshas and decorative reliefs. Its significance lies in the commanding position it occupies on the hill, suggesting Jainism was ...

About half kilometer northeast of the Mahakuta group of twenty temples, midst lush trees, is the 8th-century Bhaireshwara temple site. It is a large square plan twin temple with Karnata-Dravida architecture. The two temples stand side by side. They rest on a raised adhiṣṭhāna (plinth). They have plain walls and richly decorated vimana.  The adhiṣṭhāna features the pañcakarma (five-part) molding sequence—upāna (base), jagati (terrace), kumuda (cushion), kanṭha (fillet), and kapota (cornice)—providing an aesthetic rhythm. Each temple includes a pillared hall mandapa. Inside are seated Nandi facing the sanctum with Shiva Linga. These temples are likely from 8th-century, as twin temples are not found in early Chalukya tradition. They may have been an addition to the Mahakuta pilgrimage route. 15.934111 N, 75.725722 E (Zoom in Google Maps)

In Govanaki Karnataka, about 2 kilometers southeast of the Mahakuta group of twenty temples is a 7th-century apsidal Hindu temple. Plain from outside and with a seated Nandi in front, it is dedicated to Shiva. It is also called as the Cikka Mahakuta Shiva temple. The site is smaller. The apsidal Hindu temple follows the Gajapristha rules of Hindu temple architecture. Another example of this design is the more famous Durga temple in Aihole. A third example nearby is the apsidal temple ruins north of Aihole's Cikkigudi. All three apsidal Hindu temples are from Chalukya era. The Cikka Mahakuta apsidal temple faces east and its length to width ratio are 2:1. Inside, its sanctum is also apsidal and concentric, with space for a pradakshinapatha (circumambulation passage). On the outer walls of the sanctum are images of Kartikeya, Ganesha and Mahisasuramardini Durga. Inside is a black stone Shiva linga.  The temple  features two stone jalas (windows) on each side. It had a mukhamanda...

The Banantigudi is a 6th-century Hindu temple in Mahakuta village. It stands about 500 feet southeast from the group of twenty Mahakuta temples near Badami. It is thus a bit isolated, but notable because it is one of the oldest surviving Dravida-style stone temples in upper South India region. The Bananti temple is a simple two level (dvitala) square plan temple carved from fine red sandstone. The door frames, however, echoes north Indian style. The architecture seems to have been inspired by wooden Hindu temples that likely thrived before 6th-century. Its ancient profile has led several scholars to link it to the famous king Pulakesi (c. 550 CE) and to the Mahakuta pillar. A few scholars disagree and date it even earlier, to 5th-century (pre-Pulakesi).  The Banantigudi was badly damaged in 15th-century like rest of Mahakuta group. The mithuna (amorous) figures have been defaced. Some ruins found here suggest this may have been a Hindu goddess temple. The inscriptions found nearby ...

Nestled in Mahakuta village, near Badami in Karnataka, lies a pre-7th-century Chalukya pilgrimage site. A natural spring feeds its tank, ringed by twenty early Hindu temples. Among them stands the Mahakutesvara temple, sponsored by King Mangalesa and dedicated to Shiva. Linked to the Mahakuta Pillar (595–602 CE), the temple is linked to its Sanskrit prashasti inscription. This much studied inscription boasts Chalukyan triumphs. It is known for its poetic exaggeration and an eternal grant of land and other property rights. The  Mahakuteswara  temple's kantha panels gleam with makaras, hamsas, and kinnaras in extraordinary fluency. The doorway boasts a beautifully carved pañcaśākhā frame, alive with vigorous scrolls and exquisite lotus motifs. Notable items include bold Rucaka pilasters, elegant kapotapālikā, richly decorated colonnaded halls, and vivid puṣpaśākhā carvings. Narrative panels unfold dynamic battle scenes from the Ramayana and the Puranas. Mahakuta means "grea...

Tucked in Aihole, Karnataka, the 7th-century Gaudargudi is a Hindu goddess temple and a Chalukyan marvel illustrating early Dravida architecture. In Kannada language, Gaudargudi refers to its original dedication to "Gauri" (Parvati) and gudi (ಗುಡಿ) means "temple". Gaudargudi gave Aihole, also spelled Ayyavole, one of its historic names – Bhagavati Kolla. Some suggest this temple is from 5th-century. Gaudargudi is another damaged Aihole temple. Yet what remains show intricate carvings, along with log-shaped stone beams, evoking pre-4th century Hindu temples of wood. It sits on an elevated platform. The uttara above Gaudargudi's nave columns shows profusely carved vyāla scrolls and medial bands finished with poetic excellence. The sanctum's outer wall is a magnificent kapotapālikā supporting framed niches. The vimāna's superstructure uses vaṅgapālikā courses topped by sloping roof-slabs. The temple's doorway features a beautifully carved pañcaśākhā fra...