This Shiva shrine is a rock-cut shrine with a rectangular sanctum and triple-entranced vestibule. Its walls feature a towering Nataraja, flanked by saptamatrikas, and an Ardhanarishvara relief. In addition, there is a Sanskrit inscription with Indian dating that equals 634 CE in common era calendar. All of these are significant as they help establish the reverence for Nataraja, Saptamatrika and Ardhanarishwara before 634 CE, as only established widespread practices can be expected to inspire such art and a cave temple. It is thus highly likely that Saptamatrika, or seven mother goddesses, were revered in ancient India before 500 CE.
The cave's architectural elements are also fascinating. For example, the Ravanaphadi cave's fluted column in front features an exquisite duplication of Mangalesa’s Mahakuta column. The label inscription on the adhisthana displays "Eanavikranta," a notable cognomen of Mangalesa. The cave artwork style shows some of the earliest versions of South Indian Shaiva art that became very common in Karnataka, parts of Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
This cave temple is best appreciated with visits to other Aihole monuments along with nearby Badami caves and the Pattadakal’s UNESCO-listed marvels.
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