Aihole

The architecture at Aihole is termed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. Artisan are purported to have experimented here before evolving the rock cut concepts and the full fledged Chalukayan style and probably the later Rastrakutas sytle.
As is the truth with all tourist places, the main complex is of interest and the rest in and around the place remains in ruins unvisited, un preserved. I wish the authorities could do some thing to demarcate these precious monuments which will automatically bring in people.

Some shots of both the main complex and the village...


Did Edwin Lutyens visit Aihole ? Was this inspiration for the Parliament house?



Shiv ling fascinates me. Yes, it is a quiet simple structure but all the same it can be fashioned in many forms. I have been making it out of the chapatti dough and clay for myself in my childhood and later for my kids. Until recently they would run to me to fashion one out of dough each evening.
You could see them in many forms many a thing qualify to look like a ling, but this one below is something I had not seen earlier or imagined ,

A ling more like mortar pestel .

There are many temples all around the village of Aihole. Sad, it does not interest the tourist one such complex in the heart of the village.

Nice place to park the bullock cart and store firewood.

Ancient and the new co-exist perfectly. This must have been a grand structure

Nice place for a smoke in royal style?