Chikkigudi Temple, Aihole,
Karnataka
Chikkigudi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the banks of the Malaprabha river in the heart of Aihole, an historical town, in Bagalkot District in Karnataka, India. This temple is situated to the north of the Ambigergudi.
History
The
temples are dated between 7th century CE by the Chalukyas. The temples are protected as
monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.
The Temple
This temple is facing
towards east. The temple consists of sanctum with circumbulatory path, sabha
mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa can be accessed through flight of
three steps. The mukha mandapa is supported by four pillars. The sabha mandapa
is supported by four pillars and two pilasters. The entrance of the sanctum has
decorative door jambs with floral motifs. Images of Brahma, Vrishabhavahana
Shiva and Vishnu are carved within the chaitya arches on the decorative door
jambs.
The lintel of the doorway of
the sanctum has an image of Garuda in flying posture holding the snakes in his
two hands. The river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna can be seen at the base of the
doorjambs on either side. The exterior wall of the sanctum is provided with
niches on three sides. The circumbulatory path receives the light and
ventilation through the latticed windows on three sides of the walls of the
temple.
The remains of the shikara
suggest that it might have had a nagara style shikara over the sanctum. This
temple is exceptionally rich in ceiling decoration with carvings of a lotus in
a square flanked on four sides by flying gandharvas, Ananta Sayana Vishnu on
Ananta with Lakshmi & Lord Brahma emerging out from his navel sitting in
padmasana on a lotus, Trivikrama,
Thandava Shiva with Parvathy & Ganesha and Lord Shiva killing the demon Andhakasura.
Connectivity
The temple
is located at about 500 metres from Aihole Bus Stand. Aihole is located at about
13 Kms from Pattadakal, 30 Kms from Badami Railway Station, 33 Kms from Bagalkot
Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Badami, 38 Kms from Bagalkot, 88 Kms from
Gadag, 136 Kms from Hubballi Airport, 164 Kms from Belgaum Airport, 277 Kms
from Goa and 446 Kms from Bengaluru. Aihole is situated on Pattadakal to
Amingad route.
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