Lad Khan Temple & Ravanaphadi Cave
About
The Lad Khan Aihole temple is one of the earliest surviving Chalukya temples from the 5th and 6th centuries. It features a square plan structure with a flat roof, an unusual design since later Indian temples developed curvilinear or pyramidal towers. Nearby is the Ravanaphadi Cave, a 6th century rock cut Shiva cave with a massive dancing Shiva panel and a fine 10 armed Mahishasuramardini on the outer face. Both illustrate different strands of early Chalukya experimentation central to Aihole history.
Highlights
What makes this place special
Lad Khan Square Plan
The unusual flat roofed square plan structure is one of the earliest surviving Chalukya temples and a prototype never repeated in later architecture.
Ravanaphadi Dancing Shiva
A massive 6th century dancing Shiva (Nataraja) carved inside the Ravanaphadi cave is one of the earliest images of the form.
Things to Know
- •Short walk between temples
- •Included in Aihole entry
- •Photography allowed
- •Some structures require ducking
- •Carry water
