Historic Sites of India and Southeast Asia

Tucked in Aihole, Karnataka, the 7th-century Gaudargudi is a Hindu goddess temple and a Chalukyan marvel illustrating early Dravida architecture. In Kannada language, Gaudargudi refers to its original dedication to "Gauri" (Parvati) and gudi (ಗುಡಿ) means "temple". Gaudargudi gave Aihole, also spelled Ayyavole, one of its historic names – Bhagavati Kolla. Some suggest this temple is from 5th-century. Gaudargudi is another damaged Aihole temple. Yet what remains show intricate carvings, along with log-shaped stone beams, evoking pre-4th century Hindu temples of wood. It sits on an elevated platform. The uttara above Gaudargudi's nave columns shows profusely carved vyāla scrolls and medial bands finished with poetic excellence. The sanctum's outer wall is a magnificent kapotapālikā supporting framed niches. The vimāna's superstructure uses vaṅgapālikā courses topped by sloping roof-slabs. The temple's doorway features a beautifully carved pañcaśākhā fra...

In Mahakuta, Karnataka, a quiet village near Badami, the 7th-century Mallikarjuna Temple, dedicated to Shiva, stands amid ancient shrines and waterworks. Its sandstone form and the nearby simpler older temples show how Hindu architecture developed at Mahakuta between about 475 CE and 640 CE. The temple features a south Indian Dravida-style vimana with a tiered tower, complemented by north Indian Nagara influences in nearby shrines. Intricate and beautiful carvings on pillars and walls reflect Chalukyan artistry. The nearby Vishnu Pushkarini tank, fed by a natural spring, holds a submerged Shiva linga. This is an active Hindu temples complex. The temple’s architecture and detailed carvings present additional innovations than those exemplified by the caves and structural temples at Badami. Of particular note are the stone windows and Bhadra images  of Harihara, Shiva and Ardhanarishwara. Inside, the Hara-Gauri (Shiva-Parvati) riding on a leaping Nandi is one of the highlights. A...

Nestled at the base of Badami’s northern hill, the 7th-century Lower Shivalaya illustrates early Dravida architecture. Carved from red sandstone, this modest temple, likely dedicated to Ganesha, boasts intricate doorframes and Hindu artwork. It is another  early Chalukyan masterpiece in the Badami region. Its square sanctum and simple mandapa, though partly ruined, reveal elegant carvings, including defaced mithuna figures. The temple was notable in its own time. For example, it finds mentions in Pallava Tamil inscriptions found over 500 kilometers away. Set against Badami’s dramatic cliffs, it offers a serene glimpse into ancient artistry. The nearby Agastya Lake enhances its spiritual allure for heritage seekers. This temple is best appreciated when its artwork and architecture is compared to the Badami’s cave temples and Pattadakal. Together these are evidence of the sophisticated design and diverse building techniques mastered before 600 AD by Indian artisans under the Chalukya...

In Ittagi, Karnataka, a 7th-century torana stands as a Chalukyan sentinel. Its red sandstone pillars, etched with time, are evidence of a thriving Hindu heritage since ancient times. The torana stands inside the village midst rural homes, unlike the nearby majestic 12th-century Mahadeva temple of Ittagi. This freestanding torana was excavated by digging a rural street. It shows two square pillars and a cross-beam, adorned with kinnara, Gajalakshmi, and lion emblems on one side.  The other side has Vishnu-related motifs such as the conch, discus and other Hindu artwork. The pillars’ cube-and-cushion capitals, dated around 700 CE, reflect early Chalukyan craftsmanship, noted in scholarly studies. The lintel’s artwork, floral motifs and nidhi symbols suggest that it stood at the entrance of a Hindu temple or monastery. The torana’s carvings offer insight into Chalukyan symbolism for those studying India’s heritage. The nearby Puspabhadra Temple in Aihole shares similar artistry....

In Karnataka’s Koppal District, the Mahadeva Temple at Ittagi, a 12th-century Hindu shrine to Shiva, stands as a Chalukyan masterpiece. Built in 1112 CE under Vikramaditya VI, its intricate stonework reflects an era where devotion met unparalleled craftsmanship, defining Western Chalukyan architecture. The temple showcases the Karnata-Dravidian style with a stellate plan and towering sikhara. The mandapa’s pillars, carved with floral and mythical motifs, complement the sanctum’s ornate sakha doorframes. The superstructure, adorned with kuta and sala elements, marks a refined evolution of Chalukyan design as they blend innovation and aesthetic richness in Hindu art. Within a kilometer of the Mahadeva temple are other ruins, Sanskrit inscriptions as well as a beautiful 7th-century torana. These taken together attest to the town's importance for at least a millennium, then suddenly abandoned sometime in or after the 14th century. The Mahadeva Ittagi temple displays how Chalukyan...

Perched atop Badami’s northern hill, the 7th-century Upper Shivalaya Temple commands views over Karnataka’s red sandstone ravine. Despite its name that means "Shiva's temple", this was originally a Vaishnava shrine, dedicated to Vishnu. It embodies early Dravida architecture, a testament to the Chalukya dynasty’s innovative spirit. The temple was completed during Pulakeshi II’s reign. Its sandhara plan features a garbhagriha embedded in a mantapa, with circular windows and an additional storey above, unique for its time. Friezes depicting Krishna’s legends, including Govardhana and Narasimha, adorn the walls, showcasing intricate Chalukya artistry. This temple was damaged after the 13th century, then abandoned. During the British Raj, it was rededicated as a Shiva temple. Though time has worn its edges, the temple’s elevated perch and surviving sculptures evoke a vibrant past. It stands amid forts, a sentinel of Badami’s strategic and spiritual l...