Aihole, also known as Aivalli, Ahivolal, or Aryapura, is a historic site in Karnataka, India, renowned for its ancient and medieval-era Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments. The site dates from the 6th century to the 12th century CE.
Most of the surviving monuments at Aihole date from the 7th to the 10th centuries. Situated around a small village of the same name, surrounded by farmlands and sandstone hills, Aihole is a significant archaeological site, home to over 120 stone and cave temples.
Aihole is located 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Badami and approximately 9.7 kilometers (6 miles) from Pattadakal, both of which are renowned centers of historically significant Chalukya monuments. Along with Badami, Aihole forms part of a region rich in architectural and cultural heritage.
By the 6th century, Aihole emerged as a hub for experimentation with temple architecture, stone carvings, and construction techniques. This innovative period led to the creation of 16 distinct types of free-standing temples and 4 different styles of rock-cut shrines.