Meguti Jain Temple, Aihole – The Temple

Meguti Jain Temple, Aihole – The Temple

The Temple is situated on the top of the Meguti Hill, surrounded by the Aihole fort. Meguti is a corruption of the word Megudi (means upper temple). This Temple is facing towards north. The Temple is built on a raised platform and can be accessed through flight of steps from the northern side. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and a large pillared mukhamandapa.

The mukha mandapa and antrala are square in plan. The mukha mandapa is supported by twelve pillars and four pilasters. It has a flat roof with curved eaves. The antrala is divided into two chamber. There is a stone stair connects the lower chamber to the second elevated chamber. The upper chamber has a shrine and it might be dated to later period.

The sikhara over the upper shrine is now in ruins. It enshrines a badly damaged Jain image. The upper level offers a panoramic view of the Aihole fort and Aihole village below. The lower chamber is further connected to the sanctum. The sanctum consists of two concentric squares, the inner square being the sanctum, and the space between the outer square and inner square being the pradakshina patha (circumambulation path).

However, a later construction sealed the circumambulation passage, making it more suitable for storage. The sanctum enshrines a rudimentary carving of a Jain Thirthankara, Mahavira. He is depicted seated on a throne with lions at the base and makara heads at the sides. The remarkable icon of the Jain goddess Ambika, seated beneath a flowering tree, once enshrined in the antrala is now displayed in the Aihole Archaeological museum.  

The niches on the exterior walls and friezes on porch parapet wall are now empty. The low parapet wall is decorated with friezes and kudus. The outer walls are raised on basement mouldings that rhythmically project and recess in accordance with the pilastered walls above. The mouldings around the foundation have carvings of Jaina motifs such as seated Jinas meditating.

The temple is not complete, as the niches and walls where carvings would be, are either cut but empty or left uncut and left raised. The hill is supposed to be the site of Aihole Fort, but except the walls, none of the structures survive today. There is a Buddhist Temple few steps below the Meguti temple.