Assignable to the 7^th – 8^th century CE, this largest and most elaborately decorated temple at Aihole is well known for its apsidal plan and structural imitation of the Buddhist rock-chaitya halls. Standing on a deeply moulded plinth, the temple is surrounded by an open colonnade and consists of a semi circular shrine and ambulatory passageway, columned hall with three aisles and porch with balcony seating (kakshasana). A curvilinear shikhara, partially in ruins, is seen on the apsidal – ended roof. The outer columns at the entrance and within the porch are caved with auspicious couples, guardian figures and ornamental reliefs. The doorway to the hall is richly decorated. In the outer colonnade, pierced stone windows and sculpture panels are framed by niches displaying the complete repertoire of decorative motifs known to the Chalukyan artists. Many of these sculpture panels, depicting Harihara, Narasimha, Mahishamardinin and other divinities, suggest a Vaishnava affiliation for the temple.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

Dharwad Circle

The Great Durga Temple

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The Great Durga Temple

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