Sri Durga Temple - Aihole
Aihole Durga Devi Temple is facing in the East direction which exhibits a blend of Dravidian and Nagara architectural style. The temples carry rich architectural sculptures on pillars and ceilings, especially depictions of such major gods as Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma.
Grabha Gudi contains a Rekhanagara-type shikhara an incomplete tower perches on the roof above the sanctum and the Shikhara seems to be inspired by a North Indian temple. The temple has Mukha Mantapa and Sabha Mantapa. The temple is constructed with the Red stone of Badami. The temple consists of an apsidal garbhagriha, sabha mandapa, a mandapa, and a mukhamandapa in the east-west axis and the temple opens to the east. The temple has a base of six different moldings. The temple is entered through two flights of steps to the south and north of the mandapa.
The rows of pillars contain two pradakshinapathas, which is an exceptional architectural feature. The longish sabha mandapa has been divided into three portions by its pillars. The large number of pillars in this temple have been utilized by the artists to carve a large number of puranic stories and self-supporting sculptures. These sculptures are of high order and add refinement and charisma to this temple. On the pillars of the mukhamandapa are found passionate couples in various suggestive poses. On another pillar is found Shiva dancing on apasmara. The inner wall of the mukhamandapa has Ramayana panel, Ardhanarisvara and Ugranarasimha killing Hiranyakashipu. The front entrance of the mandapa is well carved with dvarapalas, Yamuna, and Ganga, and further sculptures.
Lord Parasuram, after avenging the death of his father came down to the river Malaprabha and washed his blood-stained hands and battle axe. The blood and gore on the axe turned the river red. A woman saw this and screamed ‘Ayyo Hole’ or ‘Oh No Blood!’ in Kannada, hence the name Aihole.
Once, a severe drought hit this place. The great Sage Jabaali used his 'Jnana Drishti' and found out that demon Arunasura had made the people stop all yajnas as revenge against the 'devas.' Demon Arunasura acquired a boon from Lord Brahma that he would not suffer death from any two-legged or four-legged being or any weapon. After gaining these powers, Arunasura conquered heaven. The Devas prayed to Goddess Durga for help. Goddess appeared as a beautiful woman. Arunasura approached her. She reminded him that she had killed Shambasura and from whom Arunasura had escaped death. Arunasura got angry and tried to kill the Goddess with a sword. The Goddess turned into the stone. When Arunasura slashed the stone with the sword, a vast swarm of bees emerged from the stone and stung him.
Temple Timings :
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