Early inscriptions call this town Ayyavole and Aryapura.Many temples and caves of historical importance can be found at Aihole. Aihole, was the cradle of ancient Hindu temple architecture. It has more than 125 temples. The experimentation with different styles was undertaken by the artisans. The artisans worked on the rocks to create the earliest rock cut shrines. Later the artisans graduated to the full fledged Chalukya style of architecture.The early Chalukyas inherited architectural styles largely from their neighbors to the north and south of India.
The Temples are located in clusters within the village and in the surrounding fields and rocky outcrops. Two of the temples of note here are rock-cut caves dating from the sixth Century. The Hindu Ravanaphadigudi Temple contains some fine sculptures. A stepped path leads up a hill in the south east that overlooks the village.
Partway up this hill is a two-story cave with Buddha decoration panels at the entrance. The Jain Meguti Temple is located at the top of the hill. It bears an inscription indicating it was built in 634AD although it was never completed. A climb to the first floor of this temple is well worth it for the fine view of Aihole and the surrounding countryside.
A most impressive Temple that is a must visit here is the large and elaborate Durga Temple and the Archeological Museum that is located close by.the Durga Temple dates from the 7th Century and it shows features that have been copied from Buddhist architecture like its semicircular apse. Near to the Durga Temple is the smaller Ladhkan temple. The Ladhkan Temple can be recognized by the tiers of sloping slabs on the roof of the main hall and entrance porch. There are elaborate carvings of river goddesses carved on the pillars of the porch and other deities can be seen decorating the side walls of a small chamber near the roof.