One of the oldest temples in Aihole, Goudaragudi Temple, is 200 meters from the Aihole Bus Stand. It is 100 meters south of Durga Temple. It was built in the fifth century. It is close to Ladkhan Temple. When planning the Aihole tour package, remember to include the temple in your itinerary.

Located on a raised platform a few feet below the ground level of the other temples. The temple is in the Madapa style. The verandah of the temple, which honours Mahalakshmi or Bhagavathi, has a slanting roof supported by 16 pillars. Pradakshinas can ambulate around the sanctum. Along the temple's outside wall are stunning carvings of the Kalasa.

At the Garbhagriha's entryway, you can see Garuda and Gajalakshmi, with four elephants standing above them. The platform on the roof is square and more significant than the one above the Ladkhan Temple without a picture. It is one among the places to visit in Aihole.

History of Goudaragudi Temple

It is famous as such because of its proximity to the fort (Durga), even though it is not a temple to the goddess Durga. Originally a Surya temple, it is now a Shiva temple. According to sources, Aveda Ale Kumarasinghe constructed Durga Gudi during the reign of Vikramaditya II. It is an illustration of the experimental temple architecture. It occurred at Aihole in the late VII and early VII centuries CE.

Architecture

The temple (Gaja Prishtha) is apsidal in shape, with a back resembling an elephant's hind quarter. It stands on a high pedestal and features a demolished Rekha Nagara Shikhara. Its colonnade separates the temples into an aisle and an apse, and the columns go behind the apsidal sanctum. To enter the temple from the east, there are steps on the frontal mandapa.

The inner colonnade and small pillars support the temple roof, enclosed by a parapet. The building's front features images of Shiva, Mahishamardini, various Vishnu avatars, and events from the Ramayana. On the Mandap pillars are images of gods, deities, and a passionate couple.