April 29, 2016

Aihole Historical Temples


About Aihole and History

Aihole, located in North Karnataka a small village near the banks of River Malaprabha. Aihole is the cultural capital during the period of Western Chalukya dynasty of Badami between 543-757 CE.

The name Ayyavolal is derived from Aryavolal or Aryapura (valley of elders). Village people call this as Aivalli or Aiholli. There is also a story behind the name, those days Parashurama, after killing Kshatriyas, washed his axe in Malaprabha river and the river turned red in color. Hence people exclaimed "Ai Holi" Ai the river, and hence the name is Aiholi.

Important Places to see in Aihole and covered in this Blog are

1. Durga Gudi Temple Complex
2. Lad khan Temple and a Stone ladder
3. Ravalaphadi Cave Temple
4. Jain Cave Temple
5. Huchchimalli Temple Complex
6. Museum (you can get the free brochure here and also buy the ASI guide booklet)


Tips to plan and visit the places in Aihole

For all the above places it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. For the road to Cave temples take help from locals or from a guide. You can ask for a guide and they just charge about Rs.300 for all the places in Aihole alone.

This can be planned along with Hampi/Badami visit. Refer my respective blogs for all details.

Stay options, Food options

I suggest you buy and have the Tender coconut and Bananas here. They also sell the Bajra (Pearl millet) Buttermilk but they sell it on used bottles and may not be fresh as well, which is a concern. Carry snacks or food along with you. Water bottles you can buy here. For good food, visit Badami.

You can stay at Badami. Refer my other Badami blog for details.


Nearby Places and my Blogposts

 

Note: Refer my Hampi blog which has the details on planning all these places in 4 days. Click the images or the place name title to read the respective blog.

 

Hampi                                                       Badami                                          Sandur   










Pattadakal                                                         Banashankari Mahakuta Kudalasangama


http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/pattadakal-historical-temples.htmlhttp://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/banashankari-mahakuta-kudalasangama.html

 

 

Moving onto photos...



Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Complex

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Complex

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Lord Vishnu

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Ornate Pillars

Aihole Info Board
Find all details here


Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Lord Shiva

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Windows

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Durga

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Chalukya Emblem

Aihole Durga Gudi Temple Stone Ladder

Aihole Lad Khan Temple

Aihole Huchchimalli Temple Complex

Aihole Ravalaphadi Cave Temple

Aihole Ravalaphadi Cave Temple

Aihole Ravalaphadi Cave Temple

Aihole Ravalaphadi Cave Temple

Aihole Ravalaphadi Cave Temple

Aihole Jain Cave Temple

Aihole Jain Cave Temple

Aihole Red Sandstone Rock


Hope you liked this Blog post, Dont forget to share with your friends and add your comments below. Thank you.  Read my other Blogs on Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Mahakuta....etc all. 

Hampi and all Nearby places - Click here to read

Badami - Click here to read 

Sandur - Click here to read 

Patadakal - Click here to read 

Banashankari, Mahakuta, Kudalasangama - Click here to read

 

Sandur Kumaraswamy Temple and Shiva Vilas Palace


About Sandur

Sandur  (Sanduru in local language), is located near Hampi in North Karnataka. Though you can visit this place any time of the year, just after rains in September, it would be so beautiful to see this place. Like in Mars(I seen in movie :-)), there is a red dust elsewhere due to mining. I suggest you choose this place as a stay option for your Hampi visit which is very close. Just 40Kms from here and there is a cemented road so you can reach in 35 to 40 minutes.

The following places in Sandur are covered in this blog post:
1. Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
2. Shri Kumaraswmay Temple
3. Narihalla Reservoir and Dam

Shri Kumaraswamy Temple

One of the oldest temple built by Chalukya rulers about thousand years back. This seem to have disappeared inside Swamimalai forest. The Ghorpade kings found this site and restored. Check photos below. This temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Murugan (son of Lord Shiva). Kumara means younger child.

Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Great Staff and a heritage Palace hotel with all amenities to relax and spend time peacefully, what else you need. I strongly suggest this place as a stay option for your Hampi Visit. Refer my Hampi blogpost for planning, details and photos of Hampi. Getup early morning and have sumptuous breakfast at Palace and carry snacks provided in your room, visit all the places in Hampi. Reach back by late evening and have a Spa to relieve from your tiredness, long walk.

Built in 1942 by Shrimant Sarkar Maharaj Yeshwantrao Hindurao Ghorpade over 20 acres of land. Very beautiful Palace in the middle of Sandur town surrounded by hills on all sides. Mahatma Gandhi visited this place once and he suggested to visit this place in September. Yes, right after the rains during September, Sandur will look awesome. But you can visit anytime of the year.

Look at their website for facilities: http://shivavilaspalacehotel.com/facilities/ 

Inside the Palace, there is a big Swimming pool, Steam and Spa, Vintage Car Museum, Antique collection in Durbar hall museum, Indoor activity Room (my kids never wanted to come out from here), Cycles, Free WiFi, Board room...etc. The list goes on. You never need to go out for anything. Just check-in and relax like a King.

There is also Bar cum Billiards room where you can see animal trophies. You can play. Inside activity room which is air conditioned, they have chess, carrom, table tennis, playstation, TV, blah blah....so many things to play. Not only Kids, even we can play for the whole day and relax. There is also a Library with very rare collection of Old books. You can spend lots of time reading these books sitting under the trees. Awesome right? All very rare collection of books.

Pudukkottai Maharaja gifted a beautiful bronze statue of Shri Meenakshi to this Maharaja, and it decorates the central courtyard of the palace. Look closely on the intricate work. Very beautiful and rare piece. Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra - If you like to see the embroidery work by local people. you can enquire with staff and visit. You can also buy the items.

Check the photos below. A perfect stay option for your Hampi visit. Read my review of this Palace in tripadvisor - Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel 

Bird photography


This palace has lots of trees and you get to see variety of birds in early morning and late evenings. See photos below.

Planning your visit to Sandur/Hampi and nearby places and my Blogposts

Refer my blogpost on Hampi, section " Planning your Hampi and Nearby places visit" for all details.
Link is given here.

Narihalla Reservoir and Dam 

Forested hills on both sides and deep gorges, Wov what a view. Almost for a kilometer this scenery come along your way on your roadside. Being narrow you might find it difficult to pullover your vehicle for taking photos. Yes, unfortunately I was in rush to reach palace on the day of arrival and visit the temple, I could not stop and take pictures. But a very beautiful scenery.

Nearby Places and their Blogposts 

Note: Refer my Hampi blog which has the details on planning all these places in 4 days. Click the images or the place name title to read the respective blog.

 

Hampi                                                                  Badami                                      Pattadakal


http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/hampi-and-nearby-places.htmlhttp://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/pattadakal-historical-temples.htmlhttp://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/badami-color-of-almond.html



Aihole                                              Banashankari, Mahakuta, Kudalasangama

 

http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.in/2016/04/aihole-historical-temples.html
ogspot.in/2016/04/banashankari-mahakuta-kudalasangama.html

 

 

 

Moving onto photos...


Sandur Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Beautiful isn't it ?

Sandur Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel Bar and Billiards Room

Have a drink and play !

Sandur Kumaraswamy Temple
1000 years old Temple - Sandur Kumaraswamy Temple



Sandur Kumaraswamy Temple Tower
Sandur Kumaraswamy Temple Tower

Sandur Kumaraswamy Temple
Inner view of the Temple

Sandur Kumaraswamy Temple Nandi
Nandi in front of the Temple
Sandur Swamimalai forest and Mining
Cemented Road for mining, like Martian surface right ?
Sandur Mining
Do you see the Trucks?


Dodge Brothers Senior Six 1928 Shiva Vilas Palace
Dodge Brother Senior Six 1928

Indian Grey Hornbill Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
You will 100% spot this in the same tree(corner tree) in mornings - Indian Grey Hornbill 

Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Durbar Hall Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Durbar Hall and Museum 

Temple inside Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Shri Subramanya (Kumaraswamy) Temple inside Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel 


Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Animal Trophies at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Shri Meenakshi at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel at Dawn

Birds at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Birds at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Birds at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Shri Meenakshi at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Look at the Hair, Snake and flowers !

Wooden Trunk Box at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Notice the Artwork - Wooden Trunk Box at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Birds at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel

Maharaja suite at Shiva Vilas Palace Hotel
Wooden easy chair to relax in front of Maharaja suite 





Redhills of Sandur
Redhills of Sandur? !!

Hope you liked this Blog post, Dont forget to share with your friends and add your comments below. Thank you.  Read my other Blogs on Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal....etc all. 

Hampi and all Nearby places - Click here to read

Badami - Click here to read 

Patadakal - Click here to read 

Aihole - Click here to read 

Banashankari, Mahakuta, Kudalasangama - Click here to read