A Wandering Heritager: Gaudaragudi Temple/ Gaudara Gudi / கவுடர்குடி கோயில், Bagalkot District, Aihole, Karnataka.

Friday 17 February 2023

Gaudaragudi Temple/ Gaudara Gudi / கவுடர்குடி கோயில், Bagalkot District, Aihole, Karnataka.

The visit to this Gaudaragudi / Gaudara Gudi /Temple at Aihole was a part of “Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Mahakuta and Aihole temples Heritage visit” organized by வரலாறு விரும்பிகள் சங்கம் Varalaru Virumbigal Sangam – VVS and எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபு நடைக்குழு, between 24^th December to 28^th December 2022. I extend my sincere thanks to the organisers Mrs Radha and Mrs Nithya Senthil Kumar and Mr Senthil Kumar.

HISTORY OF AIHOLE

Aihole, is located in Hungund taluk of Bagalkot district in northern Karnataka. Situated on the bank of the river Malaprabha, Aihole was the cultural capital during the period of the Western Chalukya dynasty of Badami ( 543-757 CE ) founded by Pulakeshi-I ( 543-566 CE ) with Vätäpi - Bādāmi as the capital latter led by Pulakeshi- II (610-642 CE) and latter the succeeded by Rashtrakuta’s of Malkhed ( 757-950 CE ) and the Chalukya’s of Kalyana ( 950-1250 CE ).The town had trading and administrative importance with a guild known as Ayyavole Ainuruvarr, ( a guild of 500 elders ) mentioned in numerous ancient inscriptions. Hence this place is known as the cradle of the South Indian Architecture.

The legend

The name Ayyavolal is derived from Aryavolal or Aryapura (the valley of the elders). In the local language, it is known as Aivalli /Aiholli.

As per the legend, Parashurama, after killing the kshatriya-s, is said to have washed his axe in the Malaprabha river. The waters of the river turned red due to blood, causing the people to exclaim, "Ai Holi" ( Ai, the river...!!! ). Hence the name Aiholi, which has got corrupted to the present name of Aihole.

TEMPLES OF AIHOLE COMPLEX

The Aihole Temple complex consists of are constructed during early Chalukyas since mid fifth Century. There are about 50 temples within the fortification alone and there are more than 50 temple can be seen out side. Some of the temples visited during our Heritage Visit are….

1. Durga Temple

2. Surya Narayana Temple

3. Ladkhan Temple

4. Gaudaragudi / Gaudara Temple

5. Chakra Temple

6. Badigar Gudi

7. Ravanaphadi Cave

8. Huchchimalli Temple, Ravana phadi.

கவுடர்குடி கோயில்…

சாளூக்கியர்களால் கட்டப்பட்ட சுமார் 100க்கு மேற்பட்ட கோயில்களுல் இது மிகவும் பழமையானதாகவும் சுமார் 5 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சார்ந்ததாகவும் கருதப்படுகின்றது. இக்கோயில் பகவதிக்காக கட்டப்பட்ட கோயில். உயர்ந்த அதிட்டானத்தின் மீது 16 தூண்களுடன் மண்டபமும், நான்கு தூண்களுடன் கருவறையும், பிரதட்சின பாதையையும் கொண்டு கட்டப்பட்டு உள்ளது. 16 தூண்களும் சரிவான பிரதட்சிண பாதையின் கூரையைத் தாங்குகின்றது. கருவறையின் முகப்பில் கருடனின் புடைச் சிற்பம் காணப்படுகின்றது. இக்கோயில் பகவதிக்காக் கட்டப்பட்டு வணிகக்குழுக்களால் வணங்கப்பட்டதாகவும் நம்பப்படுகின்றது.

Aihole or Ayyavole, a great commercial centre of the days of the Chalukyas has nearly 100 temples now of which “Gaudaragudi” appears to be the oldest of the 5^th Century and it was Mahalakshmi or Bhagavati temple and the town was also known as “Bhagavati Kolla”. Standing on an elevated platform with 16 pillars at exterior and stone slabs inserted in between to form the wall, four central pillars inside support the roof which is slanting. The temple has sanctum is with a circumambulatory path. There are Kakshasanas with beautiful kalasha decoration behind them inside along the wall. Upper beams are highly embellished with chaityaloops housing a human head. The entrance of the Garbhagriha has Garuda at the lintel with Gajalakshmi with four elephants above it. This must be the Bhagavati temple worshipped by the famous trade guild of Aihole. It has fine Chalukyan Sculptures.

INSCRIPTIONS

However the inscription situated in temple mention it as 'Durga Bhagavati' Devalaya'. The two line inscription sketched on Navaranga mention that the 500 Mahajans of Aihole town, 8 towns and 120 local rulers donated the land to Durga Bhagavati Goddess in 8th century.