Home to about 125 Chalukyan temples and ancient monuments, Aihole is a medieval centre located in Bagalkot, Karnataka. It is also among the contenders for a position in the UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by sandstone hills and villages, it stands on the banks of the Malaprabha River. Formerly, the capital of the Chalukya Dynasty, Excavations revealed that this site has over 100 Hindu and Jain temples dating back to the time of the Chalukyas. Today, Aihole is a prominent centre for temple architecture and intricate stonework. Aihole, known initially as Ayyavole or Aryapura, played a significant role in Hindu mythology. Besides Hindu and Jain Temples, Aihole boasts of a rock-cut Buddhist monument dedicated to Lord Buddha. The towns of Pattadakkal and Badami are also located nearby and together; they form a vast region to witness the marvel and grandeur of Chalukyan architecture. A few historical places of the town include the Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Ravanaphadi Cave Temples, Huchimalli Temple, Meganagudi group, Gowda Temple and the Huchappayyagudi Temple amongst numerous others.

If travelling from Pattadakal, Ravana Phadi caves are on right side, just before Aihole temple complex. Or just few hundred meters after Hachappagudi temples which will be on left when coming from Pattadakal. One star less due to off location. It is sort of "In the middle of nowhere" No facilities nearby, no entrance fees, no parking charges, can take your car right upto the entrance. Very rare visitors due to location. However the cave temples have beautiful elaborate and intricate carvings of Hindu gods, the temple is dedicated to Shiva. Make sure to look around including ceiling for the carvings. They are around 1500 years old. If you are visiting Aihole, spare 30-40 minutes for this.

Best cave carvings I have seen in recent times. If you are visiting Aihole then this place is must visit, I was so surprised after seeing the artwork on the walls of the cave. Highly recommended place to visit.

Some places surprise you when least expected. Raavan Phadi is one such place. Not many tourists wander here and very very few people know about this gem in Aihole. We had read about Aihole group of temples and the most famous durga temple. But little did we know that there exists a place like Raavan phadi very near to the temple complex. There is no ticket required for this place and it’s not even maintained that well. Almost barren, this place is just 5 min from main temple and a little off the main route. It’s a rock cut cave with some amazingly beautiful carvings inside the cave. Was really mesmerized with the work that we saw here. Please do keep it in your plans if you are in Aihole. Highly recommended.

Its slightly off the main road, so not many tourist wander here, but its worth the visit. It is like a rock cut cave and inside there are beautiful stone carved idols. The details are so fine that you can not take your eyes off those.

A magnificent 6th century cave temple with ancient sculptures and bas-reliefs.

Built in the V or VI Century CE, Ravalapadi is one of the oldest shrines in the Chalukyan realm.

Absolute gem in Aihole . Just a short drive from the Durga temple complex. Quite and unhurried - limited maintained but absolutely beautiful . Small cave temple in the centre with other shiva temples around in the small complex . The shiva ( as Nataraja) surrounded by his family - At the entrance of the main temple is absolutely superb

The initial development of temples was in the form of caves. Before structural temples came into being. The statues of Varaha and Mahishasur Mardini form part of one of the earliest depictions of those deities. The similarities with Mahabalipuram cave temples can't be denied. Although the Pallvas and Chalukyas were arch enemies, but when it comes to architecture, they are very very close.

The Ravalaphadi temple, hewn out of rock, is nestled along the Malprabha river. The temple boasts a large statue of a dancing nataraja with apsaras on the wall. It also has one of the rarer structures seen in India — a standing Ganesha. Beyond the religious aspect, one walks away amazed at the effort put into these temples that stood the test of time, far beyond the empires that were their patrons. #2Ghumakkar Incredible India Karnataka Tourism Archaeological Survey of India

Its Raavala Phadi and not Ravana Phadi. The rock cut carvings were simply amazing. This place does not have too much crowd which is another reason why it is an amazing place to visit.

Also called 'Ravalaphad " this is a roch cut shrine and is a Shiavalaya but smaller than the Badami ones, exterior is simple with four pillars and Padmanandian Shankhanibhi gourds. It has a rectangular frontage and square inner wall. But the interior has on its walll has a dancing Shiva with ten hands, equally tall saptamatrikas observing Shiva's dance, rows of beautiful ganas and figures of Varaha, Mahishamardini and other artistic slender figures this is assigned to the 6" century. The garbagruha has a Shiavalinga with its peetha and they are monolithic. On the walls on the seated on vartha s should outside the cave a there is a platform or Mand in fine with the linga in the garbhagruha and a monolithic pillar.

Ravan phadi cave temple is a rock cut temple of Chalukya period built in 6 th century, situated at aihole village in bagalkot district, Karnataka. Aihole was once capital of Chalukya kingdom, consists of at least 9 temple complexes spread over Aihole around 2 km radius. Ravan phadi is one of them, consists of mahisasur Marconi statue and lord shiva statue in nateeja form.Aihole is around 35 km from Badami which is famous for rock cuts temples. One can reach Aihole by own vehicle or shuttle bus which runs from Badami to Aihole throughout the day.

Ravana Phadi, located in Aihole, Karnataka, India, is a significant early example of Indian rock-cut architecture and forms a vital part of the Aihole temple complex, often regarded as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. Dating from the 6th century, this site precedes the phase of structural temples that the Chalukyas are famed for. Ravana Phadi is a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, carved out of a sandstone hill. The cave gets its name from a carving of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, which is a rare depiction in Hindu temples. This cave temple stands out for its raw architectural beauty and the intricacy of its carvings.

Ravanaphadi cave temple, Aihole, Karnataka This particular representation of Shiva, his family and the matrikas accompanying them is probably an ode to the Pauranic story in which Lord Shiva performs a dance after defeating the powerful asura king named Andhaka (who as per Shiva Purāna is actually the son of Shiva and Parvati but raised by the asura Hiraṇyākṣa). This Andhaka had several special boons from Lord Brahma which almost granted him immortality, the only exception was that he could be killed by Lord Shiva. Once in his blind arrogance, he tried to abduct Devi Parvati who invokes the Gods for her protection. A great battle ensues, but as per another boon granted to Andhaka from every drop of his blood that falls on the ground, a new Andhaka is born. To address this difficult situation Lord Vishnu creates matrikas, the mother-goddesses who drink up the falling blood drops so that finally Andhaka can be decapitated by Lord Shiva’s trident. In one of the variations of this story, Lord Shiva is said to have forgiven Andhaka because he takes refuge in the Lord. Representations of Nataraja Shiva along with matrikas are also seen in some of the caves at Ellora, including the famous Kailasha temple (cave 14). With regard to the particular representation at Ravanaphadi at Aihole, it is also interesting to note that the Chalukya kings claimed to have been nursed by the Saptamatrikas. They considered them as giver of powers to defeat the enemies; matrikas thus figured prominently in their sculptural art, especially in the later Chalukyan period (11th to 13th century).

This is the 1st ever rock cut cave temple built by the Chalukyas. This temple was for the experimentation of the cave temples and after knowing they can do these kind of temples, they carved the other four cave temples in Badami. The Chalukyas got the concept of Cave temples after seeing the cave temples of Ajanta, which were date backed to 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE.

One of the must visit place in Aihole. An exquisite 10 handed Nataraja sculpture, flanked on sides by Saptha mathrikas, Parvathi, Ganapathy and Karthikeya. There are sone carvings of Varahamurthy, Mahishasuramardhini. Part of early Chalukyan Architecture

Historical place.. very beautiful..

Mesmerising architecture. Ravana Padi is living testimony of Chalukya style of Architecture. splendid sculptures and especially 10 handed dancing shiva is gigantic celestial sculpture witnessed by Saptamtrikas, Pramathas, Bethalas and Tantriks. Bhu Varaha is another wonderful sculpture.

Superb carvings very good location