Chakra Gudi / Chakra Temple / சக்ரா கோயில், Aihole, Bagalkot District, Karnataka.

The visit to this Chakra Temple at Aihole was a part of “The Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Mahakuta and Aihole temples Heritage visit” organized by வரலாறு விரும்பிகள் சங்கம் Varalaru Virumbigal Sangam – VVS and எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபு நடைக்குழு, between 24^th December to 28^th December 2022. I sincerely thank the organizers Mrs. Radha, Mrs. Nithya Senthil Kumar, and Mr. Senthil Kumar.

HISTORY OF AIHOLE

Aihole, is located in Hungund taluk of Bagalkot district in northern Karnataka. Situated on the bank of the river Malaprabha, Aihole was the cultural capital during the period of the Western Chalukya dynasty of Badami (543-757 CE) founded by Pulakeshi-I (543-566 CE) with Vätäpi - Bādāmi as the capital latter led by Pulakeshi- II (610-642 CE) and latter the succeeded by Rashtrakuta’s of Malkhed (757-950 CE) and the Chalukya’s of Kalyana (950-1250 CE). The town had trading and administrative importance with a guild known as Ayyavole Ainuruvarr, (a guild of 500 elders) mentioned in numerous ancient inscriptions.

The legend

The name Ayyavolal is derived from Aryavolal or Aryapura ( the valley of the elders ). In the local language, it is known as Aivalli /Aiholli.

As per the legend, Parashurama, after killing the Kshatriya-s, is said to have washed his axe in the Malaprabha river. The waters of the river turned red due to blood, causing the people to exclaim, "Ai Holi" ( Ai, the river...!!! ). Hence the name Aiholi, which has been corrupted to the present name of Aihole.

TEMPLES OF AIHOLE COMPLEX

This Aihole Temple complex consists of about 6 temples, constructed during early Chalukyas since the mid-fifth Century, within the fortification alone in groups and there are more than 50 temples that can be seen outside. Some of the temples visited during our Heritage Visit are….

1. Durga Temple

2. Surya NarayanaTemple

3. Ladkhan Temple

4. Gaudaragudi /Gaudara Temple

5. Chakra Gudi

6. Badiger Gudi

7. Ravanaphadi Cave

8. Huchchimalli Temple

சக்ர குடி /கோயில்.. 

இக்கோயில் 9 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டச் சார்ந்ததாகக் கருதப்படுகின்றது. கருவறை, இடைநாழி, ரங்க மண்டபம் மற்றும் முகமண்டபத்துடன் இக்கோயில் கட்டப்பட்டு உள்ளது. கருவறை மீது வட இந்திய கட்டிடக்கலையினை ஒட்டி கட்டப்பட்ட ரேகா நாகர விமானம், அமலகா மற்றும் ஸ்தூபியுடன் காணப்படுகின்றது, கருவறையின் முகப்பில் கருடன் பாம்பை பிடித்து இருப்பது போன்ற சிற்பமும், மேலும் 20க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சிற்பங்களும் காணப்படுகின்றன. விமானத்தின் அமலக்கா – நெல்லிக்காயைப் போன்ற அமைப்பு – சக்கர வடிவில் இருப்பதால் இக்கோயில் சக்கரகோயில் என அழைக்கப்படுவதாக கூறப்படுகின்றது. 

   

Chakragudi... The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum/garbha griha, antechamber/antarala, and open portico/mukha mandapa. A Shivalinga is in the garbha griha, Rekha-nagara style crest / Vimanam on it.

Assigned to the 9^th Century, Chakragudi is known for its 20 sculptures of amorous couples engraved on the doorframe of the sanctum which has Garuda holding two snakes on the lintel. Above that is the relief sculpture of a Dravida Shikara. The temple has a sanctum and the Ranga mantapa alone at present, and has a Nagara shikhara, on the Garbhagriha and the Drominent round. Amalaka at the Stupi which may have brought the name chakragudi to this monument.

Ref

1. A Handbook on the World Heritage Series Badami, published by the Archaeological  Survey of India. 

2. A Handbook on Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole issued by VVS in Tamil. 

3. Temple architecture and Art of Early Chalukyas Badami, Pattadakal, Mahakuta, Aihole by George Michell.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---