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The Uma Maheswari Temple is part of the Konthi Temple group, also known as Kwanthi Gudi, a sub-set of the Aihole complex. Like many rock-cut temples in south India, the temple deities are primarily represented either in carved wall panels, or linga form. At Uma Maheswari, Lord Brahma is seen in a carved panel, seated on a lotus. An image of the panel was not found, although a similar panel from Aihole (shown above) is currently in the collection of the Prince of Wales Museum in Bombay.
Konthi Temple complex In this beautiful panel, Lord Brahma is seated on a lotus pedestal, with one leg crossed. He holds mala and lota in two hands, with another in mudra. The fourth hand is holding what appears to be a scroll of the Vedas. Hamsa swan is at his knee, with a delightful expression, and there are several attendants offering worship to Brahmadeva.
Aihole sanctum shrine Located on the banks of the Malaprabha River, Aihole is surrounded by fields and small villages. Aihole was the first capital of the Chalukyan Empire. The name 'Aihole' (pronounced Ah-hee-ohl-eee) is associated with Parasurama, who is a prominent Visnu avatara in Karnataka and Kerala.
Lord Nrsimhadev Durga temple at Aihole The Chalukya Dynasty was founded in 543 A.D. The construction of monuments by these rulers was undertaken in Aihole, at Badami, Pattadakal, and the surrounding region. Much later, in the 17th century, Aurangzeb annexed the Deccan and this region came under Mughal rule. A great many transcendental assets were undoubtedly destroyed here by their hand, as they were elsewhere in India.
Lord Nrsimhadeva, Badami The Badami Temple Caves There are several ancient cave temples in Badami comprising Vaisnava, Saivite and Jain shrines, which are housed in four central caves. The most prominent of these is Cave 3, dedicated to Lord Visnu. It contains the most ornate sculptural work in the compound. Cave 1 contains Saivite deities, while Cave 4 is home to Jain images. In Cave 2, the presiding deity is Lord Vishnu, who appears in various incarnations, including Vamanadev and Varaha. The subsidiary deities in this shrine are carved into the ceiling, which also has a depiction of the Lord in eternal sleep. Lord Brahma is there, along with Shiva, and the eight Dikpals, or presiding deities of the eight cardinal directions.
Badami Temple (on hill) The cave temples of Badami were excavated by the Chalukyas in 600 to 700 A.D. Carved out of sandstone, the sculptures are finely detailed. Each cave shrine has a sanctum, a hall, an open verandah, and pillars. The caves are decorated with many beautiful murals, as well. There are super-excellent murtis of Lord Nrsimhadev both at Badami, and in the Durga temple at Aihole. Following is a nice video of the Badami monuments:
Part 2 - Pushkar, Rajasthan Part 3 - Chinch & Asotra, Rajasthan Part 4 - Eklingji, Udaipur, Rajasthan) Part 5 - Vasantgarh, Rajasthan) Part 6 (Rajasthan: Bijoila, Mewar; Chandravati, Sirohi; Kiradu & Sevadi, Jodphur) Part 7 (Khokhan, Himachal Pradesh) Part 8 (Tihri-Uttarsal, Himachal Pradesh) Part 9 (Una, Himachal Pradesh) Part 10 (Dudhahi, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh) Part 11 (Gaya, Bihar) Part 12 (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh) Part 13 (Alampur, Andhra Pradesh) Part 14 (Kaleshwar, Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh) Part 15 (Sampradaya Acarya - Lingampally, Andhra Pradesh) Part 16 (Manthani, Andhra Pradesh) Part 17 (Gurramguda Village, Andhra Pradesh) Part 18 (Tirusulam, Tamil Nadu) Part 19 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 20 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 21 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 22 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 23 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 24 (Syncretistic Forms of Lord Brahma) Part 25 (Thirupachur, Tamil Nadu) Part 26 (Pancheshti/Pancheti, Tamil Nadu) Part 27 (Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu) Part 28 (Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu) Part 29 (Mandagappattu, Tamil Nadu) Part 30 (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 31 (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 32 (Thirumukkoodal, Tamil Nadu) Part 33 (Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu) Part 34 (Thirunaraiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 35 (Thirunaraiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 36 (Thiruvengadu, Tamil Nadu) Part 37 (Thiruvelliyankudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 38 (Kuthanoor, Tamil Nadu) Part 39 (Lalgudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 40 (Kulithalai, Tamil Nadu) Part 41 (Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu) Part 42 (Thirupattur, Tamil Nadu) Part 43 (Pullamangai, Tamil Nadu) Part 44 (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) Part 45 (Sri Rangam, Tamil Nadu) Part 46 (Tanjore, Tamil Nadu) Part 47 (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) Part 48 (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) Part 49 (Darasuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 50 (Thirukkannapuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 51 (Malayadipatti, Tamil Nadu) Part 52 (Thiruvadi, Tamil Nadu) Part 53 (Thirukandiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 54 (Thiruparangundram, Tamil Nadu) Part 55 (Kodumudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 56 (Thottiyam, Tamil Nadu) Part 57 (Nallur, Tamil Nadu) Part 58 (Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu) Part 59 (Purusha Sukta - The Hymn of Creation) Part 60 (Kottakkal, Kerala) Part 61 (Thirunavaya, Kerala) Part 62 (Triprayar, Kerala) Part 63 (Kodakkal, Kerala) Part 64 (Chottanikkara, Kerala) Part 65 (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) Part 66 (Thiruvallam, Kerala) Part 67 (Tulunadu to Ur - Proliferation of Brahma Cult) Part 68 (Lord Brahma and Abrahamic Cult) Part 69 (Kolar, Karnataka) Part 70 (Mullur, Karnataka) Part 71 (Somnathapur, Halebid & Belur, Karnataka) Part 72 (Sringeri, Karnataka) Part 73 (Palli, Udupi, Karnataka) Part 74 (Brahmalingeswara - Kanajaru, Karnataka) Part 75 (Brahmalingeshwara - Maranakatte, Karnataka) Part 76 (Brahmalingesvara Temples, Karnataka) Part 77 (Brahmalingesvara Temples, Karnataka) Part 78 (Aihole & Badami, Karnataka)
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