Aihole can be described as a storehouse of Hindu Budhist and Jain memorials extending over the Malapraha River Basin in the Bagalkot District of Karnataka which is a state in the southwestern region of India. Aihole is just 10 km away from Pattadakal and 30 km from Badami, both of which are the main areas where monuments of Chalukya Dynasty are found. The Ravana Phadi Temple is considered to have been built in A.D. 550 and is carved out of a huge rock. It is one of the oldest cave temples of the Aihole temple complex. There is a vast plain field in front of the temple. The temple has been carved out of an outcrop on one side of the plain field. To the front of the entrance, there is a huge monolithic pillar. Facing the cave is a monolithic statue of Nandhi which is very attractive. This temple has been cut out as three chambers including the two on either side of the main prayer area. The paintings and artistic creations have been done beautifully although the paintings have almost faded due to lack of care and proper maintenance. The images of Shivalinga in the main chamber as well as Nataraja and apsaras (fairy) on the cells on either side are alluring pieces of work. The ceiling is embellished with carvings of Vishnu, Garuda, lotus, Indira, etc. The enchanting creativity seen here is the first and the best of the Chalukya style in Aihole.
Ravanaphadi
