The visit to this
Gaudaragudi / Gaudara Gudi/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 24th December to 28th 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….
கவுடர் குடி / கோயில்…
சாளூக்கியர்களால்
கட்டப்பட்ட சுமார் 100க்கு மேற்பட்ட கோயில்களுல் இது மிகவும் பழமையானதாகவும், சுமார்
5 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சார்ந்ததாகவும் கருதப்படுகின்றது. இக்கோயில் பகவதிக்காக கட்டப்பட்ட
கோயில். உயர்ந்த அதிட்டானத்தின் மீது 16 தூண்களுடன் மண்டபமும், நான்கு தூண்களுடன் கருவறையும்,
பிரதட்சிண பாதையையும் கொண்டு கட்டப்பட்டு உள்ளது. 16 தூண்களும் சரிவான பிரதட்சின பாதையின்
கூரையைத் தாங்குகின்றது. கருவறையின் முகப்பில் கருடனின் புடைச் சிற்பம் காணப்படுகின்றது.
இக்கோயில் பகவதிக்காக் கட்டப்பட்டு வணிகக்குழுக்களால் வணங்கப்பட்டதாகவும் நம்பப்படுகின்றது.
Aihole or Ayyavole,
a great commercial center of the days of the Chalukyas has nearly 100 temples
now of which “Gaudaragudi” appears to be the oldest of the 5th
Century and it was Mahalakshmi or Bhagavati temple, and the town was also known
as “Bhagavati Kolla”. Standing on an elevated platform with 16 pillars at the exterior and stone slabs inserted in between to form the wall, four central
pillars inside support the roof which is slanting. The temple has a sanctum, with
a circumambulatory path. There are Kakshasanas with beautiful kalasha decorations behind them inside along
the wall. Upper beams are highly embellished with chaitya loops housing a human
head. The entrance of the Garbhagriha has Garuda at the lintel with Gajalakshmi and four elephants above it. This must be the Bhagavati temple worshipped by
the famous trade guild of Aihole. It has fine Chalukyan Sculptures.
INSCRIPTIONS
However, the inscription recorded from this temple mentions it as "Durga Bhagavati Devalaya". The two-line inscription
sketched on Navaranga mentions that the 500 Mahajans of Aihole town, 8 towns, and
120 local rulers donated the land to Durga Bhagavati Goddess in the 8th century.
Inscription "Durga Bhagavati Devalaya"
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 ---
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