0 Ravanaphadi and Huchchimalli Temple, Aihole

That's Gulli and I with our guide at Ravanaphadi back in 1996.



I remember our guide telling us that people lived in this temple and had been evicted recently. Walls and ceiling were soot coated. The Frangipani plant you see in the background to the left is fully grown now. The place is maintained well. Thanks to ASI.


Ravanaphadi, also called Ravalaphadi, this is a rock-cut shrine and is a Shivalaya, btu smaller than Badami ones. Its exterior is simple with four pillars, and Padmanidhi and Shankhanidhi guards. It has a rectangular frontage and square inner wall. But the exterior has on its wall tall dancing Shiva with ten hands, equally tall Saptamatrikas observing Shiva's dance, rows of beautiful Ganas, figures of Varaha, Mahishamarshini, and other artistic slender figures. This is assigned to the sixth Century. The Garbhgriha has a Shivalinga with its Peetha and they are monolithic, on the walls on teh sides are Mahishamardhini and Varaha sculptures and Bhoodevi is seated on varaha's shoulder. Outside the cave there is a platform for Nandi in line with the Linga in the Garbhagriha and a monolithic stone pillar.


Shooting pictures in this temple is tricky work. Framing the right picture was a challenge. With only way for light to enter some parts are bright while most parts are dimly lit. Being new to SLR, I had a tough time framing the right shots.


This little temple has full of art, even the steps are artistic.




Mahishamardhini


Varaha


Dancing Shiva with ten arms.


Saptamatrikas


One of the seven Saptamatrikas is not seen here.



Shiva with Nagappa in his right hand and a trident standing next to him. Note the tall Jata with Crescent Moon on it.


This is one of my favorite temples, I wish to come back and spend some more time here.

About 130 meters North of Ravanaphadi is Huchchimalligudi Temple Complex.


Back in 1996, I do not remember visiting this temple.


The Huchchimalligudi stands on an elevate platform and has a Mukhamantapa, a Rangamantapa and Garbhagriha, and is a Shivalaya. This temple is remembered for its wonderful sculpted figures. The doorframe has four divisions with wonderful and unique sculptural designs. They include amorous couple, elephants and Ganga and Yamuna motifs. Above the lintel which has Garuda sculpture, are images of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu and floating celestial nymphs (Gandharvas). The niches in Sabhamantapa has figures of Indra, Yama, Kubera, etc. The Sabhamantapa doorframe has the same design as the one at the Garbhagriha. The Garbhagriha has a Rekhanagara Shikhara and on its side has images of Surya and Brahma on two sides. It has a tank and its walls too are full of fine sculptures of Dikpalas, Mahishamardini, Brahma, Vishnu, Gajalakshmi, Kartikeya, stories of Panchatantra and Kiratarjuniya etc. There is a small temple in front of Huchchimalli temple of which only Mukhamantapa remains, and it has row of nice Poornakumbha sculptures in a row. To the north of the Huchchimalli is another temple, a Kalyana Chalukya monument of the 11th Century and its Garbhagriha has a 'phansana' (stepped) Shikhara.


Kalyana Chalukya monument of 11th Century


Poornakumbha sculptures


Halegannada inscription


Kalyani ~ stepped well.


Probably the Kirātārjunīya story.



Ravanaphadi Coordinates: 16°1'20"N 75°53'3"E
Huchchimalli Temple Coordinates: 16°1'25"N 75°52'59"E

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Detail: Ravanaphadi and Huchchimalli Temple, Aihole

0 Aihole Fort and Meguthi Temple

My first visit to Aihole and Meguti Temple was February 1996, during the 13-day tour around Karnataka on Hero Honda Splendor. I had forgotten about the fort completely. That's our guide whose name I cannot recall and me.


It's only recently I rediscovered Aihole Fort.

April 3, 2011. We arrive at Aihole around noon and spend time at Durga temple, Ravna Phadi temple, two other temple complexes, have lunch at a local Khanavali and come to the fort.

View of the hill, two-story Buddhist temple, fort and Meguti temple from Ravanaphadi rock cut temple.


At the foot of the hill.


Half way up the hill.


I pass by the two-story Buddhist temple.


Meguti Temple as seen from the fort gateway.


Google Map screen shot of Aihole Fort.


A - Stairway
B - Two-story Buddhist temple
C - Fort gateway
D - Meguti temple
E - Desai Vade

The fort walls are restored recently, stones packed with mud. The wall is not very high, at places its barely 10 feet. I went walking on the wall, clock-wise. I'm standing on South-East bastion looking towards the fort gateway.


and to left, the South-West bastion. The water-body in the background must be Malaprabha river.


Closer look at the bastion. The job seems well done... on the surface. But the walls are pretty fragile. I wonder if the walls can withstand a good rainy season. The mud might run off with water under a heavy shower.


Rear side of Meguti temple. What a handsome structure it is!


The South-West bastion as seen from middle of the Western wall.


The North-West bastion.


As seen from the North-West corner.


The structure looks solid and neat. The architecture is purely functional.


Quoting two lines from Wikipedia- The temple which was possibly never completed gives important evidence of early development in dravidian style of architecture. The dated inscription found on the outer wall of the temple records the construction of the temple by Ravikeerthi, a scholar in the court of emperor Pulakeshi II.

The half-standing tower in the middle and the sloping roof caught my attention. The place has a different look... it's a Desai vaade. Later in the day we actually visited the vaade. The owners live in some city, the care-takers showed us around. The place was being renovated.


Ancient sculptures of two couples.


Is that Buddha in meditating position?


On the way down, I stop by the two-story Buddhist temple. The first floor had a rock-cut chamber, probably used for meditating.


Simply beautiful! I'm awe struck at the simple styling.


A signature in stone.


Praveen had come down quite some time back and befriended two brothers, locals living just where the steps start. They were chatting about agriculture and prices of jowar. One of the brothers has settled in Udupi and was on a vacation. The little girl in the middle is the Udupi brother's grand-daughter and the other two girls are her Aihole cousins.


Aihole Fort Coordinates: 16°1'2"N 75°53'2"E

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Detail: Aihole Fort and Meguthi Temple