The small village of Aihole is rightly known as the “cradle of Indian architecture”. During the earlier times, this village was known as Ayyavole or Aryapura. Currently, it is located in the Bagalkot district in the Hungungda taluk of Karnataka. During the time between 6th and 8th century AD, this particular village was the cultural capital of the Chalukya dynasty who ruled over Badami. Tourists can visit the famous Archaeological Museum right inside the premise of the Durga Temple. During 1970, this place was started off as a sculpture shed at a small level, but later on was converted into a full- fledged museum during 1987.

History

During 1970, this place was originally started off as a sculpture shed in order to preserve and maintain sculptures, inscriptions and other architectural remnants that belonged to somewhere between 6th  and 15th centuries AD. These important evidences were scattered all over the Aihole village. It was about seventeen years later, that this place was transformed into a full-fledged museum.

This little village of Aihole is situated on the shores of River Malaprabha. The most distinct feature of this village is its architectural brilliance. There are lots of temples and forts here. Historians believe that there are at least 100 architecturally sound temples in this complex. These temples were built during dynasties like Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Kalyani Chalukyas. It is because of these temples and forts that this village is known as “Cradle of South Indian architecture”.

During the 6th to 8th centuries, when the Badami Chalukyas were ruling over the place, Aihole was their cultural capital. It was during their rule that a number of religious, secular and defense buildings were constructed.

Collections

Stone sculptures depicting faiths of Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Brahmanism, architectural remnants with fragmented carvings, engravings, stones of hero and sati nature etc. are some of the elements that can be found in the Archaeological Museum. These can be dated back to a period between 6th and 15th centuries AD. Most of the items stored here were found as a result of explorations and digging done around some of the protected monuments. Some of the eye-catching exhibits found here are statues of Lord Nataraja, collection of sculptures of Lord Ganesh, Saptamatrikas, Ambika (belonging to Jainism), beautiful Bodhisatva sculpture and an almost destroyed figure from the Megalithic period.

Galleries

The museum houses one open-air gallery and six other normal galleries. Of these, two have been used for the display of various exhibits belonging to pre and pro historic period, architecture and epigraphic materials. One of the galleries exhibits the entire structure of Aihole in miniature size. The galleries also proudly display some of the ancient and exquisite sculptures of all Hindu Gods and Goddesses of Hindu (Siva, Vishnu, Ganesh and Durga), Jain (Ambika) and Buddhist (Bodhisatva) faiths. Sculptures having intricate fragmented carvings, hero stones, sati stones and other evidences too are displayed here. Some of the interesting sculptures found here are those of the dancing God, Nataraja, huge collections of statues of Lord Ganesh, Saptamatrikas with beautiful features, artistic Bodhistava and an anthropomorphic, almost-destroyed statute that could be dated back to the Megalithic period.

Timings & Tickets

The Archaeological Museum is open from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening on all days of the week, except Friday. The museum remains closed on Fridays.

Entrance Fee

Kids aged below 15 are allowed into the museum free of cost. All others need to pay an entry fee of 2 INR.

Contact Details

Archaeological Museum Aihole,
Taluk Badami, District Bagalkot,
Karnataka State
Phone number: 08351-284551