Chikkigudi Temple, Aihole, Karnataka

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 7^th 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.

Location