The Divine Durga Temple

    The Durga Temple is located in one of the most important historic sites in the world and the center of monuments for the Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain, Aihole. Aihole is a small village surrounded by lovely farmlands and sandstone hills located in Karantaka state, India. What makes Aihole a unique tourist attraction that it contains more than 120 stones, and cave temples, and surviving monuments from the sixth century through the twelfth century. 

    The Durga Temple is one of the important Hindu temples it was built in the late of the 7th century by the dynasty of Chalukyas (one of the classical Indian royal dynasty), it is the largest temple in Aihole between 120 temples. When the temple was built it was dedicated to several gods and goddesses. There is a lot of sculptures dedicated to Surya (God of Sun) and others for Vishnu (one of the gods of Hinduism) and Shiva.  

    The Temple is placed on an elevated plinth with 1 entrance and 2 flight of stairs, it contains a lot of well designed encircling sanctums. This temple is probably created for the devotees to do their circumambulation, as the temple was made by the apsidal architecture  

    The Durga temple is one of the interesting tourists and devotees attraction. Throughout the year, people visit it every day but the best time for the visit in the evening after the whole temple premises is being decorated. 

    The temple is located 11 km from the main kotdwar town, the nearest railway station is the kotdwara station 11 km and the nearest airport is the jolly grand airport.